Weight Concerns Affect Responses to Weight Loss Spam E-mails

Newswise — Young adults who believe they have a weight problem are more likely to receive, read, and respond to spam e-mail for weight loss products, reports a study in the January Southern Medical Journal, official journal of the Southern Medical Association. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

"Physicians should consider discussing with patients the potential risks of opening and/or purchasing weight loss products from spam e-mails," concludes the study by Joshua Fogel, Ph.D., of Brooklyn College and Sam Shlivko, B.S., of New York Law School.

Response Rates Three Times Higher for People with Weight ProblemsThe researchers surveyed 200 New York college students about their experience with spam e-mail related to weight loss topics. About one-third of the students said they had a weight problem; responses were compared for participants with and without weight problems.

Eighty-eight percent of students with weight problems said they had received weight loss spam over the past year, compared to 73 percent of those without weight problems. Students with weight problems were also more likely to open weight loss spam e-mails: 42 versus 18 percent. About 19 percent of the students with weight problems said they had bought a weight loss product from spam—as did five percent of those without weight problems.

Students with weight problems had lower self-esteem and higher perceived stress, although only the psychological factor of higher perceived stress directly affected their responses to purchasing weight loss spam. After adjustment for other factors, students with weight problems were about three times more likely to receive and open weight loss spam and to buy the products pitched.

Health Professionals Should Discuss Risks of Responding to SpamSpam has become a ubiquitous problem, with health and pharmaceutical topics accounting for up to one-third of all spam e-mails. Weight problems are a major concern of young people. Fogel and Shlivko wondered whether perceived weight problems might affect young adults' responses to spam promoting weight loss products.

Their results suggest that college students who believe they have a weight problem are more likely to receive, open, and respond to e-mail solicitations for weight loss products. This is of concern because the quality of products pitched by spam-email range in quality from "harmless to potentially dangerous nonprescription products," according to the authors. They also note that some spam advertises products are meant to be sold by prescription only.

The findings also raise concern that young adults with weight problems are "apparently not seeking or not satisfied with evidence-based treatments available from physicians…or other health care providers." Previous studies have found that most patients using nonprescription weight loss products do not discuss these supplements with their doctors. Health care professionals should talk to patients about the potential risks of opening or purchasing products from spam e-mail, Fogel and Shlivko suggest. "They should emphasize to their patients the importance of working together with a health care professional in coordinating care when considering the use of weight loss products." About the Southern Medical JournalThe Southern Medical Journal (http://www.smajournalonline.com) is published monthly by the Southern Medical Association and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Devoted solely to continuing education, the Journal publishes annually more than 200 original clinical articles directed to the practicing physician and surgeon on topics such as hypertension, osteoporosis, alcoholism, obesity, dementia, asthma, and diabetes and includes monthly CME features.

About the Southern Medical AssociationThe Southern Medical Association (SMA) (http://www.sma.org) has been serving physicians' needs since its inception in 1906. SMA's mission is to promote the health of patients through advocacy, leadership, education, and service. Mark your calendars to attend the Annual Scientific Assembly of Southern Medical Association, November 4-6, 2010 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida. For additional information, call 800-423-4992, ext. 620.

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