Diet Networks

Benefits of Diet Networks

Advantages of online diet networks are multifold. The Internet has been steadily growing as a source for consumers to learn about nutrition and health because it allows for the dissemination of multiple forms of media: written materials, video and photos, direct communications, and social support. Research shows that people prefer the Internet as a source of health information and that they value the ability to access that information at convenient times. In addition, studies support the idea that participants of online weight-loss programs lose more weight and are better able to maintain their weight than those who are strictly self-directed.

Many of these advantages of diet networks come out of their functions as online support groups. Support groups, or self-help groups, are well studied in the literature. This help may take the form of providing relevant information, such as a researched article on recipes; relating personal experiences and listening to others' experiences about weight loss and fitness; providing sympathetic understanding; and establishing social networks of other dieters. Websites specifically centered on dieting create a community that becomes a source of relevant information and mutual support. Additionally, because of the virtual nature of the Internet, these groups can be more specific than face-to-face support groups.

A major advantage of online support groups comes from the uninhibited nature of the communication. Although this communication has a perceived high level of intimacy, it also has a high level of anonymity, which can be beneficial in helping people discuss difficult and possibly embarrassing personal issues, such as being overweight. The information sharing in a support group is different than traditional patient or consumer education initiatives. Instead of finding reliable information presented in an ideal way, support groups allow for peer-to-peer communication that is organized haphazardly but based on personal experience. Often, the result is information that is more specific to and more practical for the individual's situation. This haphazard communication can come in one of two forms. Groups can be synchronous and exchange messages in real-time, two-way communications, such as the case in Internet chat rooms. Likewise, communication can be asynchronous, where participants read and exchange information at different times, such as the case with e-mail and Internet bulletin boards. Both are popular for the peer-to-per communication in diet networking sites.

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