Feasibility of a social networking site to promote physical activity in adults

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of a social networking website on promoting physical activity in an ethnically diverse group of adults. Participants were recruited from English classes at an urban adult education center. Initial measurements included height, weight, and a study-specific survey about exercise and social media use. Participants were invited to join a social networking website as part of an 8-week intervention to promote physical activity. Feasibility of the intervention was determined by analysis of the website use and post-intervention focus groups. Eighteen individuals completed baseline testing and were invited to join the social networking group (4 males, 14 females, 35 ± 13 years of age, mean ± standard deviation). Only six study participants (all women) joined the social networking group. Website visits significantly decreased from the first month to the second month, but participants spent significantly more time per visit during the second compared to the fir...