Online weight-loss programs help, but only if you’re involved. There are plenty of weight-loss programs online with communities of fellow dieters to help you along. But a new study out this week has found you’ll get the most out of it if you make an effort to be involved. “Scientists looked at 5,400 people who participated in an online weight-loss program for at least six months and who posted their weight-loss progress at least twice during the study period.” The team found that how connected a person was to other members of the community played a key role in how much weight a person lost. “People who did not have any friends in the online community saw a 4.1 percent decrease in their body weight, on average. On the other hand, those in clusters made up of two to nine friends experienced a 5.2 percent decrease in body weight. The people who were in the largest cluster of friends within the network saw a 6.8 percent decrease in body weight. Deeply embedded members with a high number of friends experienced an 8.3 percent decrease in body weight.”

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