Adherence
Delivering a behavioral weight loss intervention via an Online Social Network (OSN) produces clinically meaningful weight loss (≥5%) equivalent to group phone conference calls, despite lower adherence to self-monitoring protocols.
You can achieve significant weight loss using an online social network platform (like a private Facebook group) just as effectively as attending weekly phone calls. The key is consistency: log your food and activity, and engage with the group by posting comments at least four times a week. While self-monitoring compliance was low in this study, the technology offers a flexible, lower-time-commitment alternative to phone counseling that still delivers clinically meaningful results.
Conference call and OSN groups produced clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥5% from baseline to 6 months (phone = −6.3 ± 6.4%, OSN = −5.8 ± 6.7%). There was no significant difference in weight change between groups (p = 0.765).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial, but small sample size (n=70) and short duration (6 months) limit generalizability.
Source
Distance learning strategies for weight management utilizing online social networks versus group phone conference call
Erik A. Willis et al. · Obesity Science & Practice · 2016
DOI 10.1002/osp4.96
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