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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

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

Conditions
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Obesity, Overweight

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Facebook Status Update


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 13 Years
Maximum Age: 19 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention: Facebook updates<br>The experimental group will be encouraged to update their Facebook status regarding healthy lifestyle decisions at least once a day. | Other: Facebook Status Update<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control: No Facebook<br>This group will be encouraged not to share their healthy lifestyle decisions on Facebook. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BMI | Body Mass Index | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Positive Feedback | Positive feedback (likes, positive comments) will be evaluated and related to BMI reduction. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Obesity, Overweight, Adolescents, Teenagers, Facebook, Social Networks