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Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Napolitano, MA; Hayes, S; Bennett, GG; Ives, AK; Foster, GD
Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
January 2013

Between 31 and 35% of the college-aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology-based 8-week weight loss intervention among college students.Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post-treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) . Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races).The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post-treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (-2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (-0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (-0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups.Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.

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Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

ISSN

1930-7381

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

21

Issue

1

Start / End Page

25 / 31

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Weight Reduction Programs
  • Weight Loss
  • Universities
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Text Messaging
  • Students
  • Social Media
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Obesity
 

Citation

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Napolitano, M. A., Hayes, S., Bennett, G. G., Ives, A. K., & Foster, G. D. (2013). Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 21(1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20232
Napolitano, Melissa A., Sharon Hayes, Gary G. Bennett, Allison K. Ives, and Gary D. Foster. “Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 21, no. 1 (January 2013): 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20232.
Napolitano MA, Hayes S, Bennett GG, Ives AK, Foster GD. Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2013 Jan;21(1):25–31.
Napolitano, Melissa A., et al. “Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 25–31. Epmc, doi:10.1002/oby.20232.
Napolitano MA, Hayes S, Bennett GG, Ives AK, Foster GD. Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2013 Jan;21(1):25–31.
Journal cover image

Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

ISSN

1930-7381

Publication Date

January 2013

Volume

21

Issue

1

Start / End Page

25 / 31

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Weight Reduction Programs
  • Weight Loss
  • Universities
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Text Messaging
  • Students
  • Social Media
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Obesity