Use of Facebook as a Motivating Factor in a Weight-reduction Program for Obese and Overweight Adolescents

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obesity; Overweight
• Interventions: Other: Facebook Status Update

• Registration Number: NCT01819376
• Lead Sponsor: Hospital San Jose Tec de Monterrey

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if Facebook can be used as a motivating factor for obese or overweight adolescents in a weight-reduction program.

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial. There will be two randomly assigned groups of obese or overweight adolescents (WHO definition). Both groups will be enrolled in a 12 week weight reduction program which includes personal nutritional evaluation and food plan and exercise routine. Follow-up appointments will be held every 3 weeks. One group will be encouraged to update their Facebook status at least once a day, regarding their healthy lifestyle changes (exercise routine, healthy food choice, "checking-in" at the wellness center, kilograms lost, etc). The control group will be asked not to share information about their program on Facebook for 12 weeks. Facebook follow-up will be held by the investigators on the study's Facebook account. Teenagers will be thoroughly explained on how to set the account to a limited profile if they want to. At the end of the program both groups will be compared regarding weight loss and mean BMI.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-03
• Study First Submitted: 2013-03-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-03-26
• Study First Posted: 2013-03-27
• Primary Completion: 2013-12
• Study Completion: 2013-12
• Status Verified: 2024-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-02-26
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 26

Inclusion Criteria

• Adolescents between 13 and 19 years old.
• Obese or overweight according to the IOTF.
• No physical or medical impediment for performing physical activity.
• No risk for eating disorders (SCOFF questionnaire).
• Report less than 20 minutes of physical activity per day.
• Have an active Facebook account and use it more than 20 minutes per day.
• Low-risk in the Gatehouse Bullying Scale.

Exclusion Criteria

• Physical or medical impediment for performing physical activity.
• Answer "yes" at least twice on the SCOFF questionnaire.
• Report more than 20 minutes of exercise per day.
• Not having an active Facebook account or using it less than 20 minutes per day.
• "High Risk" on the Gatehouse Bullying Scale.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention: Facebook updates	Facebook Status Update	The experimental group will be encouraged to update their Facebook status regarding healthy lifestyle decisions at least once a day.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
BMI	12 weeks	Body Mass Index

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Positive Feedback	12 weeks	Positive feedback ("likes", positive comments) will be evaluated and related to BMI reduction.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Instituto de Bienestar Integral; 🇲🇽 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico