(Shutterstock/Photo Africa)
If you’re looking online for weight-loss advice, it might be a good idea to bypass the first page of your search results, a new study suggests.
About one-third of Americans are overweight, so it’s not surprising that around 40 percent of Americans search online for tips on weight loss and exercise, according to research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. But the problem is that most of the links on the first page of a Google search lead to unreliable sources and commercial websites that market unrealistic weight-loss products[1] and techniques, the study found.
Seeing top results full of unreliable information poses a problem for consumers, who usually only click on the first few links they see in their search results.
“Since the first links that appear on an Internet search, regardless of the topic, receive nearly 90 percent of all clicks, this steers consumers to substandard information,”study author Franois Modave, chairman of the computer science department at Jackson State University in Mississippi, said in a statement[2]. [7 Little-Known Tricks that Shave Pounds[3]]
For the study, Modave and the team of researchers asked volunteers who were interested in losing weight which search terms they would use to find information about weight loss online. The researchers also chose key phrases like “weight loss” and “lose weight” and let Google autocomplete the searches. In total they used 30 different search queries related to weight loss and clicked on the first few websites from each search.
For each site they landed on, they scored the content based on how closely it adhered to proven medical-based advice on nutrition, exercise and behavioral strategies. They found that medical sites, government sites, university sites and blogs ranked the highest. However, only about one-fifth of all the websites scored higher than 50 percent, which means they only included accurate information on 50 percent of key weight loss information.
None of the websites addressed all the factors that influence weight loss. Most websites focused only on one or two facets of weight loss, with pages dedicated only to diet information, or only to exercise guidelines, Modave said.
Weight loss is more complicated[4] than just eating less and exercising more, so credible and comprehensive information sources are important, the researchers said. Modave said one way to correct the problem is for government groups and academic institutions to start focusing on making their sites more search-friendly. It might also help to use personal blogs as a model, since blogs typically contain more conversational language that is easier for consumers to understand. But it’s not only up to the government and academic organizations to make information easier to find and use; consumers should be more critical of what they read online, he added.
Caroline Apovian, director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at Boston University Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, said that searching for weight-loss advice online can be tough, but there are ways to screen the search results.
For example, it’s important to pay attention to the credentials of those responsible for the website, she said. It’s a good idea to look for someone with a medical or nutrition degree, a registered dietician, or someone who is an obesity medicine specialist, Apovian said. Some scientific journals also publish obesity and weight-loss guidelines.
The new study was published in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Copyright 2014 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.[5]
References
- ^ unrealistic weight-loss products (www.livescience.com)
- ^ said in a statement (www.cfah.org)
- ^ 7 Little-Known Tricks that Shave Pounds (www.livescience.com)
- ^ Weight loss is more complicated (www.livescience.com)
- ^ LiveScience (www.livescience.com)
Resources:
Natural Weight Loss Secrets REVEALED: How To Lose Weight Naturally (Paperback) tagged “weight loss tips” 95 times
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:29:04 GMT
Natural Weight Loss Secrets REVEALED: How To Lose Weight Naturally (Paperback)By D K Evans Click for more info Customer Rating:
Natural Weight Loss Secrets REVEALED: How To Lose Weight Naturally (Paperback)By D K Evans Click for more info Customer Rating: 
Customer tags: natural weight loss(97), weight loss(96), weight loss tips(95), healthy living(6), natural remedies(5), how to lose weight(5), d k evans(3), diet reviews(3), terri bork Weight Off (Kindle Edition) tagged “weight loss tips” 74 times
Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:56:20 GMT
Weight Off (Kindle Edition)By Linda Corby Buy new: $1.99 Customer Rating: 
Customer tags: weight control(124), weight(123), fat loss(121), fat free(118), obesity loss(117), weight loss(116), weight loss help(116), healthy weight loss(115), my weight loss(113), how i lost weight(113), weight loss tips(74), weight management(72) Weight Loss Tips: How Secondhand Smoke Can Make You Gain …
Secondhand smoke messes with your skin, can make allergies worse, and is linked to cancer. But if these reasons aren't enough to compel you to steer clear of cigarette smokers, maybe the threat of weight gain will. http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/weight-maintenance/secondhand-smoke-might-be-making-you-gain-weight
Kitchen Weight-Loss Tips | POPSUGAR Fitness
The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it's also the place that can make or break you on the weight-loss front. If you're on a quest to slim down, do these 10 things in your kitchen. Make fruits and veggies as accessible as a bag of chips: http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Kitchen-Weight-Loss-Tips-18543636
5 Ways to Feel Good While Getting Fit
Setting intentions is a powerful thing. Then when you have that shiny new gym membership in hand, you feel like nothing stands between you and your goals to get in shape once and for all. Trouble is, lack of motivation, unpreparedness and busy schedules have a way of interfering with our plans. If you find […]
Fitbit Wireless Activity Cargo HR Wristband, Black, Small
See if you agree with the following statement. Fat loss and weight loss are essentially the same thing, interchangeable. If, like many people, said yes, you guessed wrong. Fat loss and weight loss are not the same thing at all. In fact, they are not even close. If you browse the diet book section of […]
The new rules of weight loss: the new formula weight loss brand that eliminates confusion … reveals how to take steps to lose weight and stay slim … Quick results … look and feel best possible.
The key for fast and permanent fat loss is smarter not harder Working Today the public is confused more than ever about what is the best fat loss program is. Most people are very frustrated and confused about the most effective way to go about the best performing fat loss to get the body they […]
Veggie Pill for Fast Weight Loss, Increased Metabolism, and Appetite Suppressant Supplement – Premium Natural Ingredients That Safely Increase Your Metabolism – No Risk Full Money Back Guarantee
The aim of online fat loss websites is to provide a one-stop point for support and resources to individuals looking to lose weight. There are many different available fat weight loss online programs available that provide ways to keep fat loss safe, simple, and effective. These factors translate into a successful program. Easy To Find […]
