The Role of the Internet As a Tool to Aid in U.S. Adult Consumers' Weight Loss
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University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2009 The Role Of The Internet As A Tool To Aid In U.S. Adult Consumers' Weight Loss Jaclyn Kirby University of Central Florida Part of the Communication Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Kirby, Jaclyn, "The Role Of The Internet As A Tool To Aid In U.S. Adult Consumers' Weight Loss" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 4164. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/4164 THE ROLE OF THE INTERNET AS A TOOL TO AID IN U.S. ADULT CONSUMERS’ WEIGHT LOSS by JACLYN KIRBY B.S. Florida State University, 2006 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Nicholson School of Communication in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2009 © 2009 Jaclyn Kirby ii ABSTRACT This thesis focuses on ways the Internet can positively influence and educate U.S. Americans to become healthier and eventually lose weight. Throughout the past 30 years, the percentage of overweight and obese adults in the U.S. has increased immensely, resulting in a nationwide epidemic (American Association for Public Opinion Research, 2006; Center for Disease Control, 2006; Goodman, 2005; The Obesity Society, 2008). The research question for this thesis is the following: What are the perceptions of U.S. adult consumers regarding the positive influence the Internet has on weight loss? In order to determine the influence of the Internet on U.S. adults, a qualitative method of interviewing was conducted with fifteen U.S. adults. Upon completion of listening to the audiotapes and transcribing the health narratives, six key themes emerged as the most relevant to the author’s research question: (1) Weight Loss Support Rooted in Social Networking, (2) Internet as an Exercise Motivator, (3) Lack of Trust in Internet Sources for Health Information, (4) Meaningfulness of Health Seeking, (5) Internet as a Teaching Tool, and (6) Uses and Gratifications of Online Health Seeking. Overall, based on this small sample, the researcher concluded that U.S. adults have often turned to the Internet as an aid in their weight loss journey. U.S. adults have a positive perception of the Internet and feel that most adults would benefit from using it to find health information. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Jonathan Matusitz, for the guidance and support he provided me as I wrote this thesis. Dr. Matusitz has been a phenomenal advisor and without his help, expertise, research insight, and direction, I would not be where I am today. His faith in me and encouragement have pushed into a further academic role than I had ever expected. With his enthusiasm, inspiration, and efforts to explain things clearly and simply, he helped to make this process fun and interesting. Throughout my thesis-writing period, he provided sound advice, good teaching, good company, and lots of good ideas. I also would like to give thanks to my committee members, Dr. Tim Brown and Dr. Denise DeLorme. In taking both of their classes, I was challenged and encouraged to pursue the ever-daunting task of completing a thesis. Dr. Brown’s class allowed for open discussion and for me to realize my love for connecting health information and the Internet. I took two courses under Dr. DeLorme, the first which opened my eyes to my passion for qualitative research and the second which taught me about communication theories. A very special thanks goes to my future husband, Scott Ewing, for helping me get through the difficult times, for all the emotional support, entertainment, and caring he provided. He is the light in my life that keeps me going, listens to my complaints, and offers advice when it is needed most. He makes me laugh when I am down, asks questions when I stumped, and supports me when I am confused. Without his love, support, and encouragement this work would not have been possible. He is just the best! I would also like to thank my Aunt Jackie who has encouraged me from day one to pursue a Masters’ degree and explained I only needed to take it “one step at a time.” From iv editing many papers, to giving suggestions and grammar advice as she traveled across the country, I thank her for always reminding me that I have done a “job well done.” And last, it is crucial to note that none of this would have been feasible without the help of my parents. My father, the most amazing man in my life, has never stopped encouraging me to push myself further. I thank him for the late night phone calls and weekend editing help and advice. And, to my mother, my role model, thank you for the continued support through daily emails and prayers. You have helped me to grow into the smart and educated women I have become. I thank them for always being there, helping and supporting me as I finished out this last semester of graduate school. They have always supported and encouraged me to do my best in all aspects of life. They bore me, raised me, supported me, taught me, and loved me. To them I dedicate this thesis. v TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 Rationale for Conducting this Study ........................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 6 Obesity vs. Overweight ............................................................................................................... 6 Online Advertising ...................................................................................................................... 8 Online Diet Advertising ........................................................................................................ 12 Effects of Internet Use on Weight Loss .................................................................................... 16 Health Education Online ........................................................................................................... 16 Internet Use and Physicians .................................................................................................. 18 Online Health Seeking .......................................................................................................... 20 Online Dietary Tracking ....................................................................................................... 24 Internet Support for Weight Loss ......................................................................................... 28 Face-to-Face Counseling vs. Online Counseling for Weight Loss ....................................... 29 CHAPTER 3: METHODS ............................................................................................................ 33 Data Reduction.......................................................................................................................... 38 The Participants ........................................................................................................................ 39 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 42 Meaningfulness of Health Seeking ........................................................................................... 42 Internet as a Dieting Tool ......................................................................................................... 46 Internet as an Exercise Motivator ............................................................................................. 49 Moral Support Provided in Social Networking Sites ................................................................ 56 vi Consumers’ Lack of Trust in Utilizing the Internet for Health Information ............................ 60 Uses and Gratifications of Online Health Seeking ................................................................... 64 “Free” Use of the Internet ..................................................................................................... 65 Theoretical Analysis ............................................................................................................. 69 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 72 Findings..................................................................................................................................... 72 Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 74 Future Research ........................................................................................................................ 76 APPENDIX A: INTERVIEW PROTOCOL ................................................................................ 81 APPENDIX B: INFORMED CONSENT ..................................................................................... 83 APPENDIX C: PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS .................................................................