Online support encourages weight loss

Having the support of others can be the difference between success and failure. Researchers analyzed messages of support from an online weight-loss forum to see if they affected users.

Led by Ingeborg Grønning, lead author and researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, the study, published in SAGE, examined online diary entries on a weight loss forum from a user named “Astrid” to identify the relevance and effects of the confessions.

"In 19 of 22 cases, Astrid received positive responses when she posted confessions like, 'I've been eating sweets and drinking wine for several days.'" wrote Grønning. "The sociologist Erving Goffman uses the term 'saving face,' and from the responses, it seems that the others in the forum know what it's like to be overweight, and they step in to help her save face."

In examining the responses to Astrid’s confession, Grønning and co-author Aksel Tjora noticed a strong correlation of online support in response to confessions.

"We're drowning in status updates and photo sharing in social media. The fact that [the number of] responses is above average when the post concerns a problem shows that users are there to support each other, and that they hope to get support when they need it," said Tjora.

Researchers were able to identify three types of responses to confessions: collective, prospective and supportive. Collective responses are the “we struggle with the same problem," prospective responses are more “if we continue working at it, the weight will come off,” and supportive responses are mainly positive answers.

Overall, these online forums are home to those who may feel embarrassed about being overweight. According to the researchers, the activity is an anonymous safety net where users can post their problems, ask for advice and make supportive relationships. These safe spaces encourage users to follow the path of weight loss without feeling the social stigma.

"The forum is accessible regardless of where you live and if you want you can remain anonymous," wrote Grønning. “It's a tolerant community where everyone has something in common. Patients with stigmatized conditions like obesity use online forums extensively. It's terrific that a forum can work that way.

"Online forums are very useful for those who are active. Losing weight is a long process, you have to work hard and persistently to succeed. Encouragement from others helps keep spirits up.”