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01-06-2015 | Original Research

Tweet for health: using an online social network to examine temporal trends in weight loss-related posts

Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD, Michael W. Beets, MEd, MPH, PhD

Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

Few studies have used social networking sites to track temporal trends in health-related posts, particularly around weight loss. To examine the temporal relationship of Twitter messages about weight loss over 1 year (2012). Temporal trends in #weightloss mentions and #fitness, #diet, and #health tweets which also had the word “weight” in them were examined using three a priori time periods: (1) holidays: pre-winter holidays, holidays, and post-holidays; (2) Season: winter and summer; and (3) New Year’s: pre-New Year’s and post-New Year’s. Regarding #weightloss, there were 145 (95 % CI 79, 211) more posts/day during holidays and 143 (95 % CI 76, 209) more posts/day after holidays as compared to 480 pre-holiday posts/day; 232 (95 % CI 178, 286) more posts/day during the winter versus summer (441 posts/day); there was no difference in posts around New Year’s. Examining social networks for trends in health-related posts may aid in timing interventions when individuals are more likely to be discussing weight loss.

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Title: Tweet for health: using an online social network to examine temporal trends in weight loss-related posts
Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD
Michael W. Beets, MEd, MPH, PhD
Publication date: 01-06-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1869-6716
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9860
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-015-0308-1

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Tweet for health: using an online social network to examine temporal trends in weight loss-related posts

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