title: Annual variation in Internet keyword searches: Linking dieting interest to obesity and negative health outcomes.
abstract: This study investigated the annual variation in Internet searches regarding dieting. Time-series analysis was first used to examine the annual trends of Google keyword searches during the past 7 years for topics related to dieting within the United States. The results indicated that keyword searches for dieting fit a consistent 12-month linear model, peaking in January (following New Year's Eve) and then linearly decreasing until surging again the following January. Additional state-level analyses revealed that the size of the December-January dieting-related keyword surge was predictive of both obesity and mortality rates due to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Villanova University, PA 19085, USA. patrick.markey@villanova.edu
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Markey
authors.forename: Charlotte N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Markey
mesh_terms: D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D015430:Weight Gain