HXD 2018

Social media delivered behavioral weight loss interventions: what type of engagement matters, and how do we elicit it?
Abstract:
Greater attendance and participation in behavior change interventions is typically associated with better outcomes. Objective engagement data from digital behavior change interventions can provide insight into specifically what type of engagement leads to better outcomes. Using data from our recent studies testing behavioral weight loss interventions delivered via commercial social media platforms, Dr. Waring will describe what types of engagement are associated with greater weight loss, and efforts to understand how best to elicit meaningful participant engagement. Methodologic approaches are relevant to behavior change interventions in other areas.

Behaviors are among the most important factors that influence health. Our attempts to improve the health of those who are ill (e.g., initiating and adhering to treatments), those who are well (e.g., stopping smoking) and those who deliver care (adhering to evidence-based guidelines) all depend on behavior change. Designing (more) effective behavior change interventions requires more than just intuition and creativity, it requires the application of behavioral science – its theories, its methods and its evidence through every phase of the design process. This track will feature relevant talks focused on underlying theories and techniques from behavior change science and how they can be applied to the design and evaluation of digital and mixed-mode interventions.