Assessing the Feasibility of a Social Media to Promote Weight Management Engagement in Adolescents with Severe Obesity: Pilot Study

Abstract

BackgroundSevere obesity in adolescents has deleterious physical and psychological complications necessitating frequent multi-disciplinary clinic visits. Greater treatment engagement has been equated with weight-loss. However, traditional medical weight-loss programs for adolescents have high attrition rates. Social media is widely used by adolescents and may enhance medical weight management engagement and success.ObjectiveThe first objective was to examine the acceptability and feasibility of using a private social media group as an adjunct to medical weight management in youth ages 14 to 20 years with severe obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2]. The second objective was to pilot test the use of social media to improve treatment engagement and decrease attrition rates.MethodsIn this single arm, 12 week pre-post study, participants attended individual clinic visits and participated in a moderated private social media group that received nutrition, exercise, and behavior change social media communications or “posts” 3 to 4 times/week. Youth commented and/or liked posts from the moderator and each other. Social media engagement was measured with the number of likes and comments on social media. Clinic attrition was compared, measuring clinic visit attendance 12 weeks prior, during, and after the intervention with mixed linear regression models. Correlations of social media engagement with changes from baseline for BMI, BMI-z score, and psychosocial measures were fit.ResultsAll 13 enrolled youth completed the study and reported that the group was enjoyable, helpful, reinforced their weight management program, and would recommend using social media to support other youth. The pilot trial was acceptable and feasible. Youth mean weekly engagement (likes + comments) in social media was greater than once a day (8.6 ±3.6). Compared to 12 weeks prior to the intervention, there was no significant decrease in clinic visit attendance at the end of the intervention (M=.231, P=.69) or 12 weeks at the conclusion of the intervention (M=.589, P=.28). Increased social media comments correlated with weight change (r=–.633, P=.04).ConclusionsThis pilot trial demonstrated that the use of social media as an adjunct to medical weight management was feasible and acceptable to adolescents with severe obesity. Based upon these preliminary findings, social media may be an effective way to mitigate attrition from obesity treatment programs, and improve health outcomes in this high-risk population.

Role of Moderators on Engagement of Adolescents With Depression or Anxiety in a Social Media Intervention: Content Analysis of Web-Based Interactions

“…This challenge was often acknowledged and reflected upon in our moderator interviews. Nevertheless, in a variety of instances, moderators have been perceived positively with appreciation from users while serving the roles of encouraging user participation and filtering undesired content [29-31]. In the technological usability study of SOVA, we found no concerns from users regarding moderator interactions [18].…”

Comparison of Smartphone Ownership, Social Media Use, and Willingness to Use Digital Interventions Between Generation Z and Millennials in the Treatment of Substance Use: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

“…More specifically, in a sample of 20 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 16 years with type 1 diabetes, those who used a mobile health app with a social networking component showed an improvement in blood glucose monitoring [10]. In addition, preliminary findings in a sample of 13 youth with obesity indicated that social media groups are an acceptable and effective adjunct to obesity treatment [11]. Social media as an intervention has also been used to target sexual health and tobacco cessation.…”

Tecnologias Em Saúde No Manejo Da Obesidade

“…13,15 Percebe-se também que a utilização das redes sociais voltadas para o aumento da prática de atividade física e redução da ingestão de calorias com o objetivo do controle do peso envolvendo indivíduos com sobrepeso e obesidade mostrou-se bastante agradável, com 100% dos participantes em um estudo desenvolvido nos Estados Unidos tendo afirmado que o suporte de mídia social é útil para reforçar as metas de controle de peso, além de uma fonte de motivação. 22 Detalha-se, não obstante, que outro estudo, que procurou avaliar o controle de peso por meio de um sistema de redes sociais on-line em comparação a um sistema de teleconferência, demonstrou que a perda de peso não foi significativa e os participantes não se sentiram confortáveis em compartilhar suas metas entre o grupo das redes sociais. 30 Nota-se que a não eficácia de algumas tecnologias no controle do peso pode estar associada à implantação de seus métodos para com a saúde, principalmente quando as intervenções ocorrem no âmbito escolar e com a população adolescente ou de alta pobreza.…”

“…Intervenção baseada nas mídias sociais. 22 Os participantes consideraram o suporte de mídia social agradável, útil para reforçar as metas para o controle de peso, uma fonte de motivação. Porém, reportaram a necessidade da implantação de um programa de controle de peso pessoalmente junto com o grupo de suporte de mídia social (92%; [12/13]).…”