Want to trim a few pounds off your waistline? According to a new study Twitter is actually helping many users lose weight.
Published by researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health the report claims that Twitter’s support system has given people the motivation they need to drop their extra pounds. The study examined an op-in weight loss program which encouraged Twitter users to receive and share information about weight loss and their own goals.
According to the study every 10 posts to Twitter by the test group results in another 0.5% weight loss per participant. While many weight loss intervention programs already exist, such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, they are often more expensive and time consuming for participants.
If this study holds true the next big weight loss fade could literally involve sitting down in front of your computer for a little bit of time each day.? The Twitter weight loss study included 96 overweight and obese men who lived in metropolitan areas over a six-month period.
The researchers grouped then participants into two groups. One group listened to podcasts to help lose weight and the other also used mobile phone use.
The users who logged into Twitter daily from their mobile device lost more weight and were more engaged in the weight loss program. Researchers warn that users who failed to engage daily with their Twitter counterparts did not lose weight or did not lose as much weight.
Essentially the bulk of the work still rests with the individual but it turns out that Twitter weight loss is possible and perhaps even recommended for many people who just need that slight push from other people around them.
