Identifying Social Media-Based Interactions That Help Adults to Adhere to Weight Loss Goals: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Health behavior change
• Digital health interventions
• Social media research

Background:

• Social media's role in weight management is complex and not fully understood across different socioeconomic groups.
• Existing research lacks clarity on how social interactions, psychological factors, and support mechanisms on social media influence weight loss outcomes.
• This review addresses the need to identify effective social support strategies and platforms for weight loss within diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify social support mechanisms utilized for weight loss on social media platforms.
• To determine which social media platforms and features are most effective for weight loss interventions.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of social media weight loss interventions across various demographic groups.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science up to mid-2023.
• Included studies focused on adults without psychiatric disorders, examining social media use in relation to weight, diet, physical activity, self-management, or social support.
• Studies not meeting these inclusion criteria were excluded from the analysis.

Main Results:

• Informational support was the most prevalent mechanism (83%), followed by esteem (52%), network (47%), and emotional support (44%). Tangible support was infrequently reported.
• Informational and esteem support positively impacted weight loss, though social comparison and negative group dynamics presented challenges.
• Facebook was the most studied platform; higher engagement correlated with better outcomes. Network embeddedness and tailored support were key factors. Younger individuals and women showed greater benefits, highlighting social inequalities.

Conclusions:

• Social media offers various support systems for weight loss, but platform preferences and social inequalities necessitate tailored approaches.
• Interventions must address challenges like social comparison and ensure equitable benefits across demographics.
• Strategies focusing on engagement and mitigating negative dynamics are crucial for optimizing social media-based weight loss outcomes.