Using the internet to lose weight

Added on 29/07/10

Author: Graham Pembrey

Sitting down at your computer, surfing the web... surely you’re more likely to put on weight than lose it while spending time online? Not so, according to a new study from the American health organisation Kaiser Pernante!

They set up a website where dieters could record their weight, how much they exercised and what they were eating every day. Users were asked to log in once a week. Amazingly, the most successful dieters were those who logged on the most frequently. It just goes to show that the internet can be used in the battle of the bulge.

Another study back in 2006 showed the same thing. Its authors at the University of Central Florida said: “The Internet may be an alternative to traditional face-to-face weight loss programs.”

A sense of community

Some obese people say they are more comfortable getting their support from online weight loss communities where they can share weight loss stories.

One such woman is Nancy Makin. Nancy lost half a ton in weight after her sister bought her a computer in 2003. Speaking to Time Magazine, she said: “The people on the internet didn't know they were supposed to reject me, and that fed me and I was allowed to let my spirit come out. I replaced a very poor tool for judging myself with a very fulfilling activity." Makin now weighs about 170 lbs.

Online tools

Many websites offer tools that can help you monitor your weight. Here on WeightWorld, for instance, we have a BMI calculator you can use to check whether you are obese. Weight loss websites can also be good sources for ‘how-to’ health and fitness advice about dieting.