An internet-based weight loss intervention initiated by a newspaper.
BACKGROUND
An estimated two-thirds of North Carolina residents are overweight or obese. Mass media, such as newspapers and the Internet, can be used to broadly convey health messages for weight loss.


BACKGROUND
Newspapers have traditionally been a primary source of health information for the general public. They may be uniquely suited to initiate and manage a community-based weight loss program by quickly reaching a broad readership.


METHODS
Participants in the 2005 Lose to Win weight loss challenge visited the Herald-Sun Web site and anonymously entered a nickname and identification number and reported their weight each week. Participants had access to weekly articles on diet and physical activity and 4 free educational seminars.


CONCLUSIONS
Of the 154 participants who self-reported weight at baseline and during the last week of the challenge, the mean weight lost was 5.9 lb.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that this challenge fostered health awareness and promoted weight loss in the community. Future interventions of this type should use strategies to increase participation and retention, improve the accuracy of reported weight, and evaluate long-term success of the program. This type of intervention may be a useful first step to reach residents who are interested in losing weight.
Carter-Edwards
Lori
L
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2914, Durham, NC 27710, USA. lori.c.edwards@duke.edu
Bastian
Lori A
LA
Schultz
Mark
M
Amamoo
M Ahinee
MA
Østbye
Truls
T
D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008402:Mass Media; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D040241:Social Marketing; D015431:Weight Loss