Internet Weight-Management Information-Seeking Behavior and Diet, Weight, and Physical Activity Outcomes

Objective. Prior research has focused on Internet health information-seeking behavior as a response to health-threatening situations (e.g., illness diagnosis or chronic disease management) We hypothesize that individuals may also seek internet information to maximize positive health outcomes (e.g., healthy lifestyle content). Accordingly, we examined associations between using a website for diet, weight, or physical activity information during the previous year -- Internet weight-management information-seeking behavior (iWMIB; not accessing the Internet, accessing the Internet without iWMIB, and engaging in iWMIB) -- and diet, weight, and physical activity perceptions and behaviors. Methods. Data were from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS, n=7,658). One measure assessed prior year iWMIB, three measures assessed weight (body mass index (BMI), weight self-assessment, weight loss behavior), two measures assessed dietary practices (daily consumption of fruits and vegetables), and one measure assessed physical activity. Linear and logistic models, accommodating the HINTS survey design and adjusting for demographics, were computed. Results. Respondents engaged in iWMIB (28.9%) reported higher BMI and weight self-assessment and, compared with those not accessing the Internet, were more likely to have tried weight loss behavior (OR 3.84, 95%CI 3.35-4.39). iWMIB users also reported higher daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and were more likely to have been physically active during the previous month (OR 2.85, 95%CI 2.46-3.30). Conclusions. Internet weight-management content is used by many overweight adults and appears an effective resource for promoting healthy lifestyle dietary and physical activity recommendations. These considerations should inform tailoring and targeting in future weight-management endeavors.