Title |
Varying social media post types differentially impacts engagement in a behavioral weight loss intervention
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Published in |
Translational Behavioral Medicine, August 2014
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DOI | 10.1007/s13142-014-0274-z |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Sarah B. Hales, Charis Davidson, Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy |
Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to examine whether different types of posts differentially affect participant engagement and if engagement with social media enhances weight loss. Data are a subanalysis from a randomized weight loss study with a 4-month follow-up support period via private Facebook groups and monthly meetings. Counselors posted five different post types/week based on social cognitive theory (weight-related, recipes, nutrition information, poll votes, or requests for suggestions). Types of participant engagement (likes, comments/poll votes, and views) were assessed. Poll votes were the most engaging (mean number of votes or comments/poll 14.6 ± 3.4, P < 0.01) followed by suggestions (9.1 ± 2.7 posts, P < 0.01) and weight-related posts (7.4 ± 3.1 posts, P < 0.01). Engagement with Facebook was significantly associated with weight loss during the 4-month maintenance period (B = -0.09, P = 0.04). The findings provide evidence for ways to provide social support during weight loss interventions using remote methodology. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 9 | 64% |
New Zealand | 1 | 7% |
Unknown | 4 | 29% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 8 | 57% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 3 | 21% |
Scientists | 3 | 21% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 3 | 2% |
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
Bahrain | 1 | <1% |
Canada | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 149 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 29 | 19% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 27 | 17% |
Researcher | 14 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 13 | 8% |
Student > Bachelor | 13 | 8% |
Other | 26 | 17% |
Unknown | 33 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 29 | 19% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 19 | 12% |
Social Sciences | 15 | 10% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 13 | 8% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 8 | 5% |
Other | 31 | 20% |
Unknown | 40 | 26% |