TY  - JOUR
AU  - Almenara, Carlos A
AU  - Machackova, Hana
AU  - Smahel, David
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/04/04
TI  - Sociodemographic, Attitudinal, and Behavioral Correlates of Using Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Fitness Websites: An Online Survey
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e10189
VL  - 21
IS  - 4
KW  - body image
KW  - compulsive behavior
KW  - diet
KW  - feeding and eating disorders
KW  - individuality
KW  - internet
KW  - user-computer interface
KW  - weight loss
KW  - social support
AB  - Background: Nutrition, diet, and fitness are among the most searched health topics by internet users. Besides that, health-related internet users are diverse in their motivations and individual characteristics. However, little is known about the individual characteristics associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the individual factors associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites. Methods: An invitation to an online survey was published on 65 websites and discussion forums. In total, we employed data from 623 participants (aged 13 to 39 years, mean 24.11 [SD 5.26]). The measures included frequency of usage of nutrition, weight loss and fitness websites, excessive exercise, eating disorder symptomatology, internalization of the beauty ideal, weight status, and perceived online social support. Participants’ data were used as predictors in a base linear regression model. Results: The final model had an acceptable fit (χ210 =14.1; P=.17; root mean square error of approximation=0.03; comparative fit index=0.99; Tucker-Lewis index=0.99). Positive associations were found between usage of (1) nutrition websites and being female, higher levels of excessive exercise, and perceived online social support; (2) weight loss websites and excessive exercise, internalization, being female, eating disorder symptomatology, and being overweight or obese; and (3) fitness websites and levels of excessive exercise, internalization, and frequency of internet use. Conclusions: The results highlighted the importance of individual differences in the usage of health-related websites. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2019/4/e10189/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/10189
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30946018
DO  - 10.2196/10189
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/10189
ER  -