Weight problems and spam e-mail for weight loss products.
BACKGROUND
This study focuses on young adult behaviors with regard to spam e-mails that sell weight loss products.


METHODS
Participants (N = 200) with and without weight problems were asked if they received, opened, and bought products from spam e-mail about weight loss topics in the past year. Psychological factors of self-esteem and perceived stress were measured.


RESULTS
Those with weight problems had significantly greater percentages than those without weight problems for receiving (87.7% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.02), opening (41.5% vs. 17.8%, P <0.001), and buying products (18.5% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.003). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, weight problems were significantly associated with receiving (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.31, 8.82), opening (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.53, 6.29), and buying products (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.16, 9.82).


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians should consider discussing with patients the potential risks of opening and/or purchasing weight loss products from spam e-mails.
Fogel
Joshua
J
Department of Economics, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY, USA. joshua.fogel@gmail.com
Shlivko
Sam
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000329:Advertising; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003625:Data Collection; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult