This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/health/instagram-diets.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Why Dieters Flock to Instagram Why Dieters Flock to Instagram
(about 2 hours later)
On Instagram, devotees of a diet called the Whole30 have shared more than a million colorful photos of gluten-free, sugar-free, alcohol-free and dairy-free meals, and the occasional image of people showing off their bodies after 30 days of diet restrictions.On Instagram, devotees of a diet called the Whole30 have shared more than a million colorful photos of gluten-free, sugar-free, alcohol-free and dairy-free meals, and the occasional image of people showing off their bodies after 30 days of diet restrictions.
The comments are heavy on exclamation points!The comments are heavy on exclamation points!
“Back on the salad grind today for lunch!”“Back on the salad grind today for lunch!”
“Really excited about dinner!!!”“Really excited about dinner!!!”
“You’re crushing this!!”“You’re crushing this!!”
For 30 days last summer, facing a demanding work schedule and lacking energy, I joined the flock.For 30 days last summer, facing a demanding work schedule and lacking energy, I joined the flock.
I approached the Whole30 as a nutritional reset, and the #Whole30 hashtag was a place where I could get ideas for making it through the month without so much as a single packet of Splenda for my coffee. The rules for repenting for my dietary sins were simple:I approached the Whole30 as a nutritional reset, and the #Whole30 hashtag was a place where I could get ideas for making it through the month without so much as a single packet of Splenda for my coffee. The rules for repenting for my dietary sins were simple:
At first, I lurked on the hashtag, wondering if I could really spend 30 days whittling down my options for brunch, happy hours and dinners out, the activities that punctuate a workweek and make many of us feel connected.At first, I lurked on the hashtag, wondering if I could really spend 30 days whittling down my options for brunch, happy hours and dinners out, the activities that punctuate a workweek and make many of us feel connected.
But by the end of the 30 days, I had stopped lurking and had shared photos of guacamole, which kept me going; shakshuka, a go-to brunch dish; and kale-and-apple salads that took about 90 seconds to make.But by the end of the 30 days, I had stopped lurking and had shared photos of guacamole, which kept me going; shakshuka, a go-to brunch dish; and kale-and-apple salads that took about 90 seconds to make.
(I did not post a before-and-after photo. I have my limits.)(I did not post a before-and-after photo. I have my limits.)
I was adding to Instagram’s engine of visual inspiration. The site is used by dieters as a modern version of sticking photos on the fridge, a support program without the hassle, public exposure or cost of joining a group in person. The Whole30 is one of seemingly endless like-minded communities that, for the most part, emphasize healthy living over weight loss.I was adding to Instagram’s engine of visual inspiration. The site is used by dieters as a modern version of sticking photos on the fridge, a support program without the hassle, public exposure or cost of joining a group in person. The Whole30 is one of seemingly endless like-minded communities that, for the most part, emphasize healthy living over weight loss.
On the #WeightWatchers hashtag, there are more than 3.5 million posts dedicated to the diet, with a lot of before-and-after photos. People living the Paleo lifestyle — which focuses on basic foods ostensibly eaten by our prehistoric ancestors — have posted more than 7.5 million photos.On the #WeightWatchers hashtag, there are more than 3.5 million posts dedicated to the diet, with a lot of before-and-after photos. People living the Paleo lifestyle — which focuses on basic foods ostensibly eaten by our prehistoric ancestors — have posted more than 7.5 million photos.
Melissa Hartwig, who has worked as a sports nutritionist and fitness instructor, cocreated the Whole30 program, which has sold more than 500,000 books since 2009. Melissa Hartwig, who has worked as a sports nutritionist and fitness instructor, cocreated the Whole30 program in 2009. A book, “The Whole30,” was published last year and has sold more than 500,000 copies.
“Not only do you want to feel like you belong to something bigger than yourself,” Ms. Hartwig, 42, said, “but it’s important to stay connected so you have the accountability and motivation.”“Not only do you want to feel like you belong to something bigger than yourself,” Ms. Hartwig, 42, said, “but it’s important to stay connected so you have the accountability and motivation.”
Last year, Bonnie Spring, a professor in preventive medicine at the Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, published one of the few existing studies on why people turn to digital communities for weight loss.Last year, Bonnie Spring, a professor in preventive medicine at the Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, published one of the few existing studies on why people turn to digital communities for weight loss.
The report, called “ ‘Friending’ Your Way Thin,” analyzed data from CalorieKing.com, an online weight-loss community. The study used nearly a year of anonymous data from 27,382 Calorie King users, including their age, height and weight, gender and activities like weigh-ins, friend requests and online communication.The report, called “ ‘Friending’ Your Way Thin,” analyzed data from CalorieKing.com, an online weight-loss community. The study used nearly a year of anonymous data from 27,382 Calorie King users, including their age, height and weight, gender and activities like weigh-ins, friend requests and online communication.
The scientists studied the frequency of online exchanges without looking at actual messages, but the members who were the most active with other members lost more weight, they found.The scientists studied the frequency of online exchanges without looking at actual messages, but the members who were the most active with other members lost more weight, they found.
The study found that Calorie King users who connected with 10 or more friends lost on average 8 percent of their body weight over six months, compared with an average of 5 percent weight loss among those who made between two and nine friends, and 4 percent for those who essentially “watched” but did not participate socially on the site.The study found that Calorie King users who connected with 10 or more friends lost on average 8 percent of their body weight over six months, compared with an average of 5 percent weight loss among those who made between two and nine friends, and 4 percent for those who essentially “watched” but did not participate socially on the site.
While the most-connected users in the Calorie King study lost the most weight, it’s notable that the less active users also lost a significant amount of weight. And losing even just 5 percent of your body weight improves your health, research shows.While the most-connected users in the Calorie King study lost the most weight, it’s notable that the less active users also lost a significant amount of weight. And losing even just 5 percent of your body weight improves your health, research shows.
Dr. Spring said the urge for privacy was found in a 2012 study by the Northwestern group, in which 96 people were given access to a chat application that encouraged a weight-loss competition. Researchers found that most of the people in the study did not want to share stories of weight loss. The few people who tried to do so were ignored or insulted by other group members.Dr. Spring said the urge for privacy was found in a 2012 study by the Northwestern group, in which 96 people were given access to a chat application that encouraged a weight-loss competition. Researchers found that most of the people in the study did not want to share stories of weight loss. The few people who tried to do so were ignored or insulted by other group members.
In a more recent test by the Northwestern researchers, 300 college students were asked to join a private Facebook group. That group is interacting with reading materials, but they’re still afraid of being “that person” who jumps in and shares their story, Dr. Spring said.In a more recent test by the Northwestern researchers, 300 college students were asked to join a private Facebook group. That group is interacting with reading materials, but they’re still afraid of being “that person” who jumps in and shares their story, Dr. Spring said.
Dr. Spring said that Instagram may have success as a dieting platform because it is actually “a little bit less socially connected” than other platforms, serving the online dieters who value privacy and want minimal interaction with others.Dr. Spring said that Instagram may have success as a dieting platform because it is actually “a little bit less socially connected” than other platforms, serving the online dieters who value privacy and want minimal interaction with others.
“Some people feel highly motivated and egged on to succeed when they can post their accomplishments on a leader board and compare their progress to others’,” Dr. Spring said. “Others cave under that kind of pressure and public scrutiny.”“Some people feel highly motivated and egged on to succeed when they can post their accomplishments on a leader board and compare their progress to others’,” Dr. Spring said. “Others cave under that kind of pressure and public scrutiny.”
I fell into the latter category. When I was plugged into the Whole30, I found that Instagram could be a cheap way to keep myself motivated without trumpeting my journey to the world.I fell into the latter category. When I was plugged into the Whole30, I found that Instagram could be a cheap way to keep myself motivated without trumpeting my journey to the world.
Kacie Carter, a nutrition consultant who lives in Los Angeles and often posts Whole30 recipes to Instagram, said she warns her clients to keep a healthy balance between using platforms like Instagram for inspiration and being realistic about their own goals.Kacie Carter, a nutrition consultant who lives in Los Angeles and often posts Whole30 recipes to Instagram, said she warns her clients to keep a healthy balance between using platforms like Instagram for inspiration and being realistic about their own goals.
“Social media accounts have a tendency to promote everything as being perfect and rosy,” she said, “That stress can and does offset the benefits from the healthier lifestyle they are trying to create.”“Social media accounts have a tendency to promote everything as being perfect and rosy,” she said, “That stress can and does offset the benefits from the healthier lifestyle they are trying to create.”
After my Whole30 was done, I returned to tracking my eating and exercise habits. But it was nice to know that if I need to locate an adventurous guac recipe, I have a few good hashtags at the ready.After my Whole30 was done, I returned to tracking my eating and exercise habits. But it was nice to know that if I need to locate an adventurous guac recipe, I have a few good hashtags at the ready.