Social support in an Internet weight loss community.
Int J Med Inform
; 79(1): 5-13, 2010 Jan.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19945338
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To describe social support for weight loss shared by members of a large Internet weight loss community.METHODS:
We conducted a mixed-methods study with surveys (n=193) and interviews (n=13) of community members along with a content analysis of discussion forum messages (n=1924 messages). Qualitative data were analyzed for social support themes.RESULTS:
Survey respondents were primarily white (91.4%) and female (93.8%) with mean age 37.3 years and mean body mass index 30.9. They used forums frequently, with 56.8% reading messages, 36.1% replying to messages, and 18.5% posting messages to start a discussion related to weight loss on a daily or more frequent basis. Major social support themes were encouragement and motivation, mentioned at least once by 87.6% of survey respondents, followed by information (58.5%) and shared experiences (42.5%). Subthemes included testimonies, recognition for success, accountability, friendly competition, and humor. Members valued convenience, anonymity, and the non-judgmental interactions as unique characteristics of Internet-mediated support.CONCLUSION:
This Internet weight loss community plays a prominent role in participants' weight loss efforts. Social support within Internet weight loss communities merits further evaluation as a weight loss resource for clinicians to recommend to patients. Understanding these communities could improve how health professionals evaluate, build, harness, and manipulate social support for weight loss.
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Soutien social
/
Perte de poids
/
Éducation pour la santé
/
Internet
/
Surpoids
Type d'étude:
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limites:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Langue:
En
Journal:
Int J Med Inform
Sujet du journal:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
Année:
2010
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
États-Unis d'Amérique