140 Characters To Skinny: Social Support Provided By Commercial Weight-Loss Programs Via Twitter

140 CHARACTERS TO SKINNY!

SOCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY COMMERCIAL WEIGHT-LOSS P R O G R A M S V I A T W I T T E R

Sarah  Arbogast:  Thesis  Research  Study  

• Cancers!• Heart Disease !• Diabetes!• Arthritis!• Alcoholism!• Tobacco Addiction!

• 35% of the U.S. Adult Population!• 17% of U.S. Children !• Over $147 Billion Direct

Healthcare Costs!• Nearly $270 Billion Economic

Impact!!

• Environment!• Genetics!• Age!• Gender!• Self-Esteem!• Socioeconomic Status!

•  Invasive Surgeries!– Liposuction!– Gastric Band!

• Pathologic Dieting!• Disorders!• Traditional Dieting!

• Group Meeting!• Online Tracking!• Meal Planning!• Food Options!• New Media!• Sponsors!

“Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting. Simply find the accounts you find most compelling and follow the conversations” – Twitter !

• 140,000,000 Active Users!• 340,000,000 Posts Per Day!• 12 Minutes Per Feed Visit!

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SOCIAL SUPPORT !

SOCIAL SUPPORT!BEHAVIORAL CODES!•  Informational Support!• Tangible Assistance!• Network Support!• Esteem Support!• Emotional Support!

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RESEARCH!• Twitter!– Network Support!– Informational Support!

• Health Communication Research!– Informational Support!– Emotional Support!

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CONTENT ANALYSIS!- Three Program Twitter Feeds!- 1,172 Applicable Tweets!- Social Support Behavioral

Codes!- Cohen’s Kappa of .87!

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Results!!

RESULTS!  

RESULTS !• Weight Watchers!–  Informational [F(2,1169)  =  31.848,  p  =.000]  !

• Jenny Craig!–  Esteem [F(2,1169)  =  82.317,  p  =.000]  !

• Biggest Loser Diet!–  Network [F(2,1169)  =  31.646,  p  =.000]  !

CONCLUSIONS!• Twitter has potential for meeting

specific support needs.!• Twitter allows for customization in

message strategy.!• Social support is not isolated to

one outlet. !!

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