The Use of Social Media to Achieve Weight Loss Goals

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major health problem in the

United States, particularly in minorities

(Ogden et al., 2012). Few obesity

interventions have been designed specifically

for minority mothers, particularly targeting the

reduction of adiposity in Hispanic women.

Furthermore, limited research has been

conducted to assess the effectiveness of

using social media, such as

Myfitness.pal.com, as a vehicle to support

healthy eating and exercise habits in

Hispanic women.

Elizabeth Ayoko, B.S., Norma Olvera, PhD

METHODS Hispanic mothers who have participated in

the BOUNCE summer and fall programs were

recruited to participate in this study.

These participants owned a mobile device

and had basic computer skills.

After agreeing to participate in this study,

mothers were asked to create a free account

on www.myfitness.pal.com and to post their

weekly exercise and nutrition goals and to

monitor progress. The myfitness.pal.com

platform allowed for daily progress reports as

well as connection with BOUNCE facilitator

and participants for social support.

Every week for six weeks, the mothers were

asked to post their foods/drinks consumed as

well as exercise. BOUNCE facilitator provided

them with feedback along with encouraging

posts. The number of posts made on the site

and the changes in adiposity were monitored

throughout the intervention.

RESULTS

RESULTS

REFERENCES

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-

calculator/waist-to-hip-ratio-chart.php

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA53794

Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM.

Prevalence of obesity in the U.S., 2009–2010.

NCHS data brief, no 82. 2012. Hyattsville MD:

National Center for Health Statistics.

CONCLUSIONS Social media platforms, such as

myfitnesspal.com, can be an effective tool

to monitor eating and exercise goals and

reduce adiposity indicators in women.

The combination of a convenient and

supportive online environment contributes

to the effectiveness of this study. The easy

accessibility of this mobile application

helped the participants to maintain their

health- related goals.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The BOUNCE Team: Arely Cervantes, Samoya

Copeland, Marcela De La Garza. Erika Gonzalez,

Cristina Luna, & Delia Velazquez.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

BMI % Body Fat

Figure 1. BMI and %BF

Healthy/Normal Week 1 Week 3

Table 1.

Demographic

Information

Gender: Female

Age 42-45

Ethnicity Hispanic

Country of Origin Mexico

0.74

0.76

0.78

0.8

0.82

0.84

0.86

0.88

0.9

0.92

Waist to Hip Ratio

Figure 2. Waist-Hip Ratio

Healthy/Normal Week 1 Week 3

Pre-intervention BMI ranged 24.7 -40.5.

BMI Categories:

Underweight = <18.5

Normal Weight = 18.5–24.9

Overweight = 25–29.9

Obese = BMI of 30+

Pre-intervention %BF ranged from 36% -

50%. The average healthy range for women

(ages 40-59) is 23%-33% body fat.

At week 3, clinical measures showed a

decrease in adiposity. It is expected that at

the end of the intervention, adiposity

indicators would decrease further.

Pre-intervention waist to hip ratios were in

the unhealthy ranges, indicating an “apple

shaped” body type which is linked to a high

risk for CVD and diabetes.

Mothers who posted at least 7 meals

a week showed a greater reduction in

adiposity than those who posted less

than 3 meals a week.

RESULTS

BOUNCE Mothers

Myfitnesspal

homepage

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 2 4 6 8 10

To

tal W

eig

ht

Lo

st

(lb

s)

Avg. Number of Posts

Figure 3. Relationship Between Number of Posts and Weight Loss

s