Feasibility of a social networking site to promote physical activity in adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of a social networking website on promoting physical activity in an ethnically diverse group of adults. Participants were recruited from English classes at an urban adult education center. Initial measurements included height, weight, and a study-specific survey about exercise and social media use. Participants were invited to join a social networking website as part of an 8-week intervention to promote physical activity. Feasibility of the intervention was determined by analysis of the website use and post-intervention focus groups. Eighteen individuals completed baseline testing and were invited to join the social networking group (4 males, 14 females, 35 ± 13 years of age, mean ± standard deviation). Only six study participants (all women) joined the social networking group. Website visits significantly decreased from the first month to the second month, but participants spent significantly more time per visit during the second compared to the first month. Participants found the website easy to use and informative. Barriers to joining the networking group included time and internet access. Although a social networking site may be utilized to promote healthy behaviors, there are barriers that limit participation in this type of intervention, particularly in a group of ethnically diverse adults. Future studies need to examine how to encourage participants to join and how to effectively use a social networking group to promote physical activity.

Keywords::

• physical activity
• social media
• social networking

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the study participants for their participation and enthusiasm. The authors would also like to thank Fred Abisi and Adriana Giraldo at the Lowell Adult Education Center for their assistance with recruitment and scheduling of assessments.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a 2011 University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Health and Environment Seed grant.