Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Feb 21, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Feb 21, 2018 - Aug 3, 2018
Date Accepted: Jan 26, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Usage of Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Fitness Websites: Sociodemographic, Attitudinal, and Behavioral Correlates
ABSTRACT
Background:
Nutrition, diet, and fitness are among the most searched health topics by Internet users. On the other hand, health-related Internet users are diverse in their motivations and individual characteristics. However, little is known about the individual characteristics associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites.
Objective:
Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the individual factors associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites.
Methods:
An invitation to an online survey was published on 65 websites and discussion forums. In total, 623 participants were recruited (aged 13 to 39, M = 24.11 years, SD = 5.26). Measures included frequency of usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites, excessive exercise, eating disorder symptomatology, internalization of the beauty ideal, weight status, and perceived online social support. Participants’ data were used as predictors in a base linear regression model.
Results:
The final model had an acceptable fit, χ2 = 14.01, p = .173, RMSEA = .03, CFI = .99, TLI = .99. Positive associations were found between usage of: (a) nutrition websites and being female, higher levels of excessive exercise, and perceived online social support; (b) weight loss websites and excessive exercise, internalization, being female, eating disorder symptomatology, and being overweight or obese; (c) fitness websites and levels of excessive exercise, internalization and frequency of Internet use.
Conclusions:
The results highlight the importance of individual differences in the usage of health-related websites.
Citation
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