Social networks are also used to lose weight
There are certain pathologies, such as obesity, which were only an exception at the beginning of this century, but are becoming, with their multiplicity, almost a norm. In the recent article by Madame Le Figaro (1) entitled “women prefer fat people” it is visible that this public health problem is becoming commonplace. Is it an article promoting a film? It is, in any case, what the magazine Biba (2) seeks to prove within its lines! Be that as it may, it is clear that overweight people seek to fight in a thousand and one ways against this overweight of which they are the victims. And social networks are helpful in this weight loss, according to a new study.
Before the advent of the internet, support groups were the most effective way to fight obesity. Indeed, the collective remains the perfect support to talk about your problems and not feel too lonely in the face of them. Generally well led by a specialist, nutritionist, psychologist or even both, the group progressed towards satisfactory care.
A recent British study conducted by researchers at Imperial College London and directed by Dr. Hutan Ashrafian (3) suggests that social networks such as FaceBook and Twitter are on the way to replacing the discussion groups of yesteryear.
Obesity? Insulation factor
The overweight person, even if he is better and better accepted, understood and helped, remains, in the collective unconscious, what no one wishes to look like. A loss of aesthetics, overall health (see a video (4) from the newspaper Le Monde), psychological disorders, etc.
However, this pathology is spreading. From all over the world, without exception, overweight replaces thinness. Thus, the big ones are more and more numerous but suffer from a devaluation of their image . This is why they seek the company of other people suffering from the same symptoms in order to hear, in other mouths, an identical dialogue.
This is where the usefulness of social networks comes into its own .
Usefulness of social networks
Until now, despite an ever more promising enthusiasm, the multiple community networks on the web have revealed their negative aspects more than their unifying ones. Thus, it would be a first concerning the mutual aid and the support of the problems of obesity in the world.
Admittedly, actions are carried out like that of Nathalie BRETON’s 30-day Challenge on the strengthening of several muscles. It all started with the abdominals and its cladding exercise, then the rest of the body was reviewed. In conclusion, many subscribers and a revival for obese people. They must have lost motivation!
A scientific study to renew
You should know that in the world, according to the WHO, physical inactivity is the tenth cause of death as well as a risk factor just as significant as hypertension, smoking, diabetes.
Their recommendation? Run a thousand steps a day. Certainly not easy, but effective. However, walking the streets regularly, alone, remains an ordeal that overweight people do not always manage to put in place. Another feeling of failure to their credit!
Thus, for Dr. Hutan Ashrafian, obese people who register on social networks have a much better chance of finding real support, whether it comes from their acolytes or specialists. The results of the study speak for themselves: users of overweight community networks reduced their BMI ( which you can also calculate here ). The scientist does not, however, cry victory because, according to him, we must be careful and wait for a new study which will confirm this one.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.