The document summarizes the Net.Weight study, which investigated people's use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for weight management in Brighton & Hove, UK. The study included focus groups and a survey to understand people's current health status, information sources, and support networks for weight loss. The survey addressed people's knowledge, information needs, sources accessed, ICT use contexts, and skills needed to use ICTs for weight management. Results provided implications for health information policies and theories on information and digital literacies in the context of weight self-management.

1. Information to fight the flab:
findings from the Net.Weight Study
NHS Research Ethics Committee: 07/Q1907/54
Audrey Marshall

2. Net.Weight team members
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

3. The Net.Weight study
• Investigating the potential for increased, innovative
and effective uses of ICTs in the self-management of
weight
• Local focus – city of Brighton & Hove
• What information and support do people know
about, find accessible and useful for weight
management?
• How does this fit with the resources that are
provided by the local health organisations?
• What role do information and ICTS currently have
• What further applications can be identified in this
context?
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

4. Intersection of health policy agendas
Self-care
Information
Involvement
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

5. Intersection of different literacies
Information
HealthDigital
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

6. Net.Weight study: 2007
• Complex study
• Several research strands
• Diagram of the inter-relating
strands
• Concentrate today on the
user mapping
• Focus Groups
• Survey by questionnaire
• User Survey Report
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

7. Survey aim
The aim of the survey was to produce a
detailed picture of people’s current
health status, their information
landscapes and their existing networks of
support – in the context of weight
management.
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

8. Survey – research questions
1. What are the existing assets (knowledge and skills)
held by people seeking to manage their weight?
2. What are the information, advice and support needs of
people seeking to manage their weight?
3. What are the key sources of information and support
currently accessed?
4. In what contexts are ICTs used in accessing such
sources?
5. What learning and skills needs are identified by those
seeking to use ICTs to support them in weight
management?
6. How far are engagement in weight self-management
and use of ICTs differentiated by socio-economic
status, gender, ethnicity and age?
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

9. Questionnaire – sections
Five sections:
• Your health
• Managing your weight
• Information and support for weight
management
• Use of computers and the internet
• Demographics
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

10. Target Group
• Over the healthy weight for their height
• Taking steps to lose weight
• A resident of Brighton & Hove
• Aged 16 or over
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

11. Questionnaire - iterations
• Comments from Advisory Group
• Systematic search for pre-validated
instruments or questions
• Focus groups to test questions
• Pre-pilot tests with ‘critical friends’
• Drafts and redrafts circulated for
comments
• Pilot
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

12. Survey distribution
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

13. Survey distribution
• NHS
– GP practices
– Clinics
• Libraries
• Community venues
• Commercial outlets
– Pharmacies
– Rosemary Conley fitness classes
– Employers via Occupational Health staff
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

14. Survey Promotion
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

15. Online version
We are supporting the Net.Weight Project
at the University of Brighton. Please click
here to fill in the online survey about
how you manage your weight.
http://www.snapsurveys.com/netweight
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

16. Usefulness of Information Sources
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Pharmacist
Newspapers
Advertisements
Leaflets
Dietician
Health books
The Internet
TV
Magazines
Doctor
Practice nurse
Leisure centre /…
Friends / family
Food packaging
Slimming group
Always useful
Sometimes useful
Never useful
Never tried
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

17. Actively looking for information about
weight issues (%)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Very likely Likely Unlikely Very unlikely Don't know
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

18. Use of the internet to support weight
management
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Other
Communicating with GP or other health
professional
Communicating with others trying to manage
their weight
Looking for information about support groups
Communicating with others who support you
Buying goods or services
Looking for information about medication
Looking for information about diets
Looking for information about exercise
Often
Sometimes
Never
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

19. Information skills
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I am able to put my questions
into words
I know where to look for
information
I know who I can ask for help
to find information
I can judge good information
from bad
Very confident
Fairly confident
Not very confident
Not at all confident
Don't know
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

20. Skills in using the internet for weight
management
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
F. I feel confident that I will find relevant local
information on the Internet
E. I feel confident in using information from
the Internet to make weight management
decisions
D. I can tell high quality weight management
resources from low quality weight
management resources on the Internet
C. I have the skills I need to evaluate the
weight management resources I find on the
Internet
B. I know how to use the weight management
information I find on the Internet to help me
A. I know how to use the Internet to answer
my questions about managing my weight
Strongly agree
Agree
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

21. Implications of the findings
• Literacy instruments - adaptability
• Policy implications – health information
• Contribution to the theory around the
three literacies
• The confidence issue
• The role of ICTs in weight management
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project

22. What next?
• Analysis ongoing
• Report to DH in July
• Local policy and practice
• More presentations and papers…
http://research.cmis.brighton.ac.uk/netweight
LILAC: 31st March 2009 Net.Weight Project