Profiling healthy lifestyle behaviors of internet medical information users

Objective. The Internet's potential to bolster health promotion efforts has attracted considerable attention. Little is known, however, about the behavioral characteristics of Internet medical information (IMI) users. This study profiles IMI users across several healthy lifestyle behaviors. Methods. Secondary analysis of survey data from a sample of internet accessing adults (n=3,829) in the Atlanta, Georgia, area informed this investigation. Two questions were used to assess Internet access and IMI use during the previous 30 days. Nine questions assessed respondents' healthy lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, prior week restaurant use and previous month alcohol use). Logistic regression models, adjusting for demographics and survey design, were computed. Results. IMI users, compared to IMI non-users, were more likely to engage in physical activities (89.6 %/85.8%; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.00) and hold health club memberships (26.6%/20.7%; OR 1.37, CI 1.10-1.71); to have eaten at a restaurant during the prior week (86.9 /83.7; OR 1.36, CI 1.06-1.77) but not at a quick-service (OR 1.17, CI 0.76-1.46) or sit-down (OR 1.19, CI 0.98-1.45) franchise; and to report greater previous month alcohol use (71.3%/63.0%; OR 1.45, CI 1.17-1.79) preferring wine (52.7%/38.1%; OR 1.68, CI 1.38-2.06) and liquor (41.3%/48.4%; OR 1.38, CI 1.14-1.67) over beer (45.0%/44.7%; OR 1.01, CI 0.82-1.23). Conclusion. The data show that IMI users, compared to IMI non-users, are more likely to engage in both healthy (physical activities, avoiding some restaurants) and less healthy (alcohol use) behaviors. The findings highlight factors needing further consideration when tailoring and targeting online health intervention models for IMI users.