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Abstract
The morbidly obese, defined as people who are 100 pounds or more overweight, are the fastest growing population among the obese. They often live with health risks, face discrimination, and lack traditional social support. This article explores the use of weight loss blogs by the morbidly obese (N = 50) and argues that blogging provides invaluable computer-mediated social support for them in four ways: (a) it allows for empathy; (b) it ensures accountability to others; (c) it provides venting and advice seeking; and (d) it shares validation of the weight loss experience. Additionally, the article argues that social support scholars must move beyond chat rooms and message boards as media and explore more media-rich environments such as blogging and social networks.
A version of this article was presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Chicago, November 2009. The author would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and Connie Henshaw, Peter Henshaw, and David K. Scott for their assistance with this article.
Notes
Yo-yo dieters are people in a perpetual cycle of losing weight only to gain it back.
Blog entries were counted 15 months after the study concluded. At that time, 6 of the 50 blogs had been removed. The researcher was able to retrieve data for 46 of the 50 blogs.
Badges are icons that can be posted on a blog. They typically consist of a graphic design and a few words describing what the badge symbolizes. The badges let readers know if the blogger is participating in a weight loss competition, has won an award, etc.
Five blogs had been removed and an additional archive had been erased when the author checked in June 2010.
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