Process evaluation of an internet-based resource for weight control: use and views of an obese sample

To investigate use and views of a Web site designed for weight control.

Questionnaire-based evaluation with data collected at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Data were collected as part of a community-based, randomized controlled trial.

Subjects (n = 111) were participants of the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial evaluating effectiveness of a Web site designed for weight control in an obese sample.

Participants were asked to use the intervention Web site for weight control over a 12-month period.

Participants were asked to report their use and views of the Web site. In addition, use of the Web site was automatically recorded on logging onto the Web site.

Descriptive statistics, factor analysis.

Fifty-nine participants (53%) reported using the Web site at 6 months, with 32 participants (29%) still using it at 12 months. The average time spent on the Web site per visit was 21.1 minutes (SD = 16.6) at 6 months and 13.6 minutes (SD = 9.3) at 12 months, with an average number of logons of 15.8 (SD = 15.2) over the trial period. In general, satisfaction scores for the Web site were positive. Scores for ability of the resource to encourage positive behavior change for weight control were marginally negative. Social support sections of the Web site were used least and received the lowest satisfaction ratings.

Despite positive satisfaction scores, use of the resource was limited. It is expected that participants' limited ability to use the Internet may have limited the use of the resource and consequently reduced the social support available to participants. Future investigation of the views and use patterns of current users of Internet-based weight loss resources would help inform future development of such tools.