title: Facebook is an effective strategy to recruit low-income women to online nutrition education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nutrition education research recruitment expense and effort are substantial; sample selection is crucial for intervention assessment. Effectiveness and cost of Facebook to recruit low-income women to an online nutrition program were examined, including biopsychosocial characteristics of Facebook responders.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ad appeared on the Facebook page of low-income women, 18-45 years old, living in Pennsylvania to invite access to an online nutrition program. Eligible persons completed surveys about food-related behaviors including eating competence, food security, and assistance program use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 465 people who clicked on the ad, 81 completed the eligibility survey, and 62 were eligible; 52 completed a preprogram survey. Completers were mostly white (79%), overweight/obese (mean body mass index 36.2 ± 12.9), and not eating competent (75%). Low-income status was identified for 75% (n = 39) of completers. Total recruitment cost over 19 days was $596.71.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facebook appears to be an effective tool to recruit low-income women to nutrition education projects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. lohseb@psu.edu
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lohse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003256:Community Participation; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011203:Poverty; D011632:Public Assistance; D061108:Social Media; D055815:Young Adult