Can communities on social networks help overweight people lose weight? According to researchers at Imperial College London (England), belonging to a group and having specialists as referees who answer your questions helps to keep a diet and to losing weight.
Social networks as a coach
To reach these conclusions, the scientists analyzed data from 12 countries that have created “national obesity plans” based on social media.
The results of their study reveal that overweight people who used community services were able to reduce their body mass index (BMI) by 0.64 on average. For example, going from a BMI of 25 to 24.36.
“The feeling of belonging to a community allows patients to find real support, both from their peers and specialists,” explains Dr. Hutan Ashrafian, co-author of the study at the site Pourquoidocteur.
“It’s also more convenient for them: they can receive advice from doctors without having to travel. The use of social networks encourages patients to become more involved in their own treatment, ”recalls the specialist.
In a coaching context, social networks can be useful for weight loss, but be careful, spending too much time in front of a screen makes you fat, promotes the development of obesity and is harmful to health.
Indeed, for the World Health Organization (WHO), the sedentary lifestyle is thought to be the 10th leading cause of death in the world and the 4th risk factor for mortality in the world after high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. To keep fit and stay healthy, the Organization recommends taking 10,000 steps a day. Because, the benefits of physical activity have indeed scientifically demonstrated. Regular sport can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 39%, the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 26%, the risk of having a stroke by 25% and the risk of diabetes is 34%.
