Engaging families in lifestyle changes through social networking

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Authors

Baghaei, Nilufar
Kimani, Stephen
Freyne, Jill
Brindal, Emily
Berkovsky, Shlomo
Smith, Greg

Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)

Degree

Grantor

Date

2011

Supervisors

Type

Journal Article

Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)

Keyword

social networks
user engagement
families
health care

ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)

Citation

Baghaei, N., Kimani, S., Freyne, J., Brindal, E., Berkovsky, S., and Smith, G. (2011). Engaging families in lifestyle vhanges through docial networking. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. 27(10) : 971-990.

Abstract

Previous research has shown that providing family engagement and social support play important roles in weight management success, helping to achieve long-term lifestyle changes. Traditionally, the support provided by online health communities is primarily targeted at individuals and does not involve their families. We are proposing SOFA (SOcial FAmilies), a novel approach for engaging, motivating and persuading families to adopt a healthy lifestyle. SOFA is an online social network for families built on top of static health-related educational content. In this paper, we report the results of a live user study aimed at investigating how user profile representation and system assigned tasks influence users engagement with the system and change in their attitude towards healthy lifestyle. Our results show that representing family members as individuals increases the number of active family members as well as their retention, contribution and engagement with the network. The results further show that family-based social networks can have the potential to positively change the attitude of users towards healthy lifestyle.

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Link to ePress publication

DOI

Copyright holder

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

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