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Translational Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine 1/2017

01-03-2017 | Original Research

Weight loss support seeking on twitter: the impact of weight on follow back rates and interactions

Authors: Christine N. May, Molly E. Waring, Stephanie Rodrigues, Jessica L. Oleski, Effie Olendzki, Martinus Evans, Jennifer Carey, Sherry L. Pagoto

Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

People seek weight loss support on online social networks, but little is known about how to build a supportive community. We created four Twitter accounts portraying women interested in weight loss (two obese, two normal weight/overweight) and followed health care professional and peer accounts for 2–5 weeks. We examined follow back rates, interactions, and organic follows from professionals and peers by weight status. Follow back rates did not differ by weight status when following professionals (6.8 % normal weight/overweight vs 11.0 % for obese; p = 0.4167) or peers (6.7 % for normal weight/overweight vs 10.8 % for obese; p = 0.1548). Number of interactions and organic followers also did not differ by weight status. Peers interacted with study accounts significantly more than professionals (p = 0.0138), but interactions were infrequent. Women seeking weight loss support on Twitter may need to be present for more than 5 weeks to build an interactive weight loss community.
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Metadata
Title
Weight loss support seeking on twitter: the impact of weight on follow back rates and interactions
Authors
Christine N. May
Molly E. Waring
Stephanie Rodrigues
Jessica L. Oleski
Effie Olendzki
Martinus Evans
Jennifer Carey
Sherry L. Pagoto
Publication date
01-03-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Translational Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1869-6716
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9860
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-016-0429-1

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