Twitter may help those trying to lose weight - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Twitter may help those trying to lose weight

Updated:
© iStockphoto / Thinkstock © iStockphoto / Thinkstock

MONDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Using Twitter may help people lose weight by providing them with social support, researchers report.

A six-month study of 96 overweight and obese people found that their use of Twitter -- a popular online social networking service -- as part of a weight-loss program improved their chances of shedding excess pounds.

"The results show that those who regularly utilized Twitter as part of a mobile weight-loss program lost more weight," study leader Brie Turner-McGrievy, of the department of health promotion, education and behavior, at the Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, said in a university news release.

The study, published in the current issue of the journal Translational Behavioral Medicine, is one of the first to examine the use of Twitter as part of a behavioral weight-loss program, the study authors said.

"Traditional behavioral weight-loss interventions generally provide social support through weekly, face-to-face group meetings. While we know this is effective, it is costly and can create a high degree of burden on participants," Turner-McGrievy said. "Providing group support through online social networks can be a low-cost way to reach a large number of people who are interested in achieving a healthy weight."

The participants all had Internet-capable mobile devices and were divided into two groups, both of which received two 15-minute podcasts per week for three months and two five-minute mini-podcasts per week during the last three months of the study. The podcasts provided information about nutrition, exercise and goal-setting.

But in one of the groups, participants also followed each other on Twitter with the goal of providing social support to one another as they tried to lose weight. In addition, two daily messages from a weight counselor were meant to encourage discussion among these participants.

During the study, there were 2,630 Twitter posts. Seventy-five percent of those were informational, such as a participant providing details about new achievements in their effort to lose weight. Other types of posts involved emotional support.

Overall, both groups of participants lost an average of 2.7 percent of their excess weight after six months. But those who used Twitter were more successful at losing weight, and the researchers said that every 10 posts to Twitter corresponded with about a 0.5 percent weight loss.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to choose a safe and successful weight-loss program.

Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

  • Medical News HeadlinesMedical News Headlines

  • Monday, June 17 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:15:01 GMT
    Mild cognitive impairment happens when a person has memory problems, but can still function well in everyday life. Now, there's good news: Doctors say a form of rehab can help these patients train their brains.
    Mild cognitive impairment happens when a person has memory problems, but can still function well in everyday life. Now, there's good news: Doctors say a form of rehab can help these patients train their brains.

  • Friday, June 14 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:15:07 GMT
    They can be lifesavers, but resuscitation bags, known as Ambu-bags, may also be a danger. Ambu-bags are used by medical personnel to deliver oxygen to patients who cannot breathe.
    They can be lifesavers, but resuscitation bags, known as Ambu-bags, may also be a danger. Ambu-bags are used by medical personnel to deliver oxygen to patients who cannot breathe.

  • Thursday, June 13 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:15:05 GMT
    Fifty percent of people have some form of gum recession.  A painful surgery was the only answer, until now. Out of necessity, one dentist is trying to ease the pain for his patients and millions of others.
    Fifty percent of people have some form of gum recession.  A painful surgery was the only answer, until now. Out of necessity, one dentist is trying to ease the pain for his patients and millions of others.

  • Wednesday, June 12 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-12 21:15:07 GMT
    You probably know not to smoke, not to tan, and not to eat fattening foods. But other seemingly harmless vices can be ruining your health.
    You probably know not to smoke, not to tan, and not to eat fattening foods. But other seemingly harmless vices can be ruining your health.

  • Tuesday, June 11 2013 4:15 PM EDT2013-06-11 20:15:06 GMT
    Bariatric surgery is on the rise with an estimated 177,000 surgeries performed last year. But even with this surge in surgeries, there are still a lot of misconceptions about it.
    Bariatric surgery is on the rise with an estimated 177,000 surgeries performed last year, nearly four times the number performed four years ago. But even with this surge in surgeries, there are still a lot of misconceptions about it.

  • Monday, June 10 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-10 21:15:01 GMT
    Millions of people practice yoga as a way to stay fit or for relaxation. But could it be used as medication?
    Millions of people practice yoga as a way to stay fit or for relaxation. But could it be used as medication?

  • Friday, June 7 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-07 21:15:08 GMT
    Three out of four children will experience an ear infection by the age of three. But soon diagnosing the common problem may not require a trip to the doctor's office.
    Three out of four children will experience an ear infection by the age of three. But soon diagnosing the common problem may not require a trip to the doctor's office.

  • Thursday, June 6 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-06 21:15:04 GMT
    Out of necessity or as a way to lose weight, it seems a lot of people are going gluten-free.  But taking out gluten doesn't mean you have to take out taste.
    Out of necessity or as a way to lose weight, it seems a lot of people are going gluten-free.  But taking out gluten doesn't mean you have to take out taste.

  • Wednesday, June 5 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-05 21:15:09 GMT
    About one in three Americans has high blood pressure, and nearly one-third don't know it. There's a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to this common condition.
    About one in three Americans has high blood pressure, and nearly one-third don't know it. There's a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to this common condition.

  • Tuesday, June 4 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-06-04 21:15:05 GMT
    It's believed millions of Americans over 60 suffer from rotator cuff tears. Every year 250,000 people go under the knife for relief, but now there's a surgery-free alternative you can do for free.
    It's believed millions of Americans over 60 suffer from rotator cuff tears. Every year 250,000 people go under the knife for relief, but now there's a surgery-free alternative you can do for free.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
Contact Us | Advertise | Mobile | RSS Feeds | Facebook | Twitter | Email Alerts | Jobs |
Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Public File

© 2013 NewsChannel5.com | NewsChannel 5 WTVF-TV Nashville TN | Site hosted by WorldNow. All Rights Reserved.