The Impact Of A Weight Loss Program On Consumers´ Lives: Industry Case Study

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Marketing IntelligenceOverweight and obesity is one of the major public health concerns and nowadays there are more overweight than underweight adults, these have increased severely over the past four decades. Consequently, there was a significant increase in morbid obesity, due to the fact that obesity being a risk factor for various health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol and some forms of cancer. A key driver of the increasing obesity epidemic is the food environment and there are some approaches to control this. A combined diet guided by a specialist and physical activity intervention is one of the most effective options. The aim of this study is to understand the key factors on the continuous intention to be in a weight loss program. For this purpose, the benefits and determinants of a Weight Loss Program (WLP) are going to be explored through specific studies and qualitative and quantitative research, as well as the others Weight Loss Programs and other types of counseling. Besides that, it will be understood the reasons why consumers search for a WLP and consequently why a specific one, what they value most and what leads to continuity. Through a Structural Equation Model and a Cause-Effect validation, a relation between the variables under study were conceived and then the results showed that the study explains 50% of the satisfaction, 42% of the continuous intention to use a WLP and 32% of the use. It is possible to see that the extrinsic and intrinsic rewards have an impact in the use of the program, on the other hand the satisfaction of the consumer is influenced by the use, perceived credibility, extrinsic rewards and by the self-esteem of the person. In turn, the continued use of a WLP is affected by the client satisfaction

Associations between conflicting nutrition information, nutrition confusion and backlash among consumers in the UK

Objective: To examine the effects of exposure to conflicting nutritional information (CNI) through different forms of media on nutrition-related confusion and backlash among consumers in the United Kingdom. Design: Cross-sectional survey administered via Qualtrics among 18-75 year-old participants in the UK. The sample was stratified by age and gender with quotas defined according to the 2011 UK census distribution. Setting: Qualtrics’ Online panel of respondents in the United Kingdom Participants: 676 participants comprising nearly an equal number of females (n=341) and males (n=335) and a majority (58.6%) from households whose income was less than £30,000. Results: Our findings showed that nearly 40% of respondents were exposed to some or a lot of CNI. We found that while exposure to CNI from TV and online news increased nutrition confusion, CNI from health professionals increased backlash. Exposure to CNI from social media and health websites was associated with reduced backlash. We also found that nutrition confusion and backlash were negatively associated with exercise behavior and fruit and vegetable consumption respectively. Conclusion: Our study supports the theoretical pathways that explain the influence of CNI exposure on nutrition-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Additionally, different types of online information sources are associated with these outcomes to varying degrees. In the context of obesity and diabetes rates in the UK, our findings call for a) further experimental research into the effects of CNI on consumers’ diet-related cognitions and behaviors, and b) multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary approaches to address this problem

As fontes de informação e as perceções sobre uma alimentação saudável numa amostra da comunidade universitária

Este trabalho pretendeu avaliar a influência das diferentes fontes de informação nas perceções sobre uma alimentação saudável. Para tal, foi efetuado um inquérito por questionário a uma amostra de 381 participantes pertencentes à comunidade universitária, incluindo alunos, professores e restantes colaboradores. Os dados mostraram que, independentemente da fonte de informação e da frequência com que era utilizada, as perceções dos participantes eram compatíveis com uma alimentação saudável. A fonte de informação privilegiada foi a Internet, tendo a família e os amigos revelado ser também importantes. Contudo, é fundamental continuarem a ser desenvolvidas estratégias que permitam aumentar o conhecimento sobre esta temática.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrating Users’ Perceptions to Identify Features Indicating the Quality of Cancer-Related Podcasts Provided by Non-Profit Cancer Organisations

While cancer podcasts are valuable for support and information, there is a significant gap in understanding their quality features from users’ perspectives. Understanding quality features from users’ perspectives is important to ensure that cancer-affected people receive the support they need. This study addresses this gap by combining multiple theoretical perspectives: a. the IQ assessment framework, source credibility theory, two-factor theory of website design to assess the quality of podcasts, and b. reception theory to highlight listeners’ perception of quality. These perspectives, together, enrich the concept of information systems quality and provide a comprehensive understanding of podcasts’ quality. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 cancer-affected individuals, the research found that credibility, content, and design were essential quality features, with the visual appearance serving as a motivational factor. The integration of Reception Theory highlights users’ active role in shaping quality perceptions, offering new insights into the effective design of cancer-related podcasts. This novel approach bridges a critical research gap, illuminating the complex interplay of technical and human factors in assessing podcast quality from the perspective of users

Sold a dream: An experimental test of the predictions of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion in a predatory student lending scenario

Understanding why consumers fall prey to fraud and scams is a critically important area of research. Yet few comprehensive models of fraud victimization exist. The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion (ELM; Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) is a possible exception (e.g., Rusch, 1999; Langenderfer & Shimp, 2001; Lea et al., 2009), but the predictions of ELM remain to be empirically tested in a fraud-related decision context. Here, four experiments testing the predictions of ELM in a predatory student lending scenario are presented. Although results only partially supported the predictions of ELM, it is suggested that ELM can continue to serve as a useful framework to better understand consumers’ vulnerability to fraud. With 44 million student loan borrowers in the U.S. today owing a collective $1.48 trillion, it is critical that research continues to focus on better understanding disadvantageous decision-making in this context

Quality and accuracy of online nutrition-related information: A systematic review of content analysis studies

Abstract Objective: This systematic review aimed to summarise the level of quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information on websites and social media and determine if quality and accuracy varied between websites and social media or publishers of information. Design: This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021224277). CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and Academic Search Complete were systematically searched on 15 January 2021 to identify content analysis studies, published in English after 1989, that evaluated the quality and/or accuracy of nutrition-related information published on websites or social media. A coding framework was used to classify studies’ findings about information quality and/or accuracy as poor, good, moderate, or varied. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist was used to assess risk of bias. Setting: N/A Participants: N/A Results: From 10,482 articles retrieved, 64 were included. Most studies evaluated information from websites (n=53, 82.8%). Similar numbers of studies assessed quality (n=41, 64.1%) and accuracy (n=47, 73.4%). Almost half of the studies reported that quality (n=20, 48.8%) or accuracy (n = 23, 48.9%) was low. Quality and accuracy of information was similar on social media and websites, however, varied between information publishers. High risk of bias in sample selection and quality or accuracy evaluations was a common limitation. Conclusion: Online nutrition-related information is often inaccurate and of low-quality. Consumers seeking information online are at risk of being misinformed. More action is needed to improve the public’s eHealth and media literacy and the reliability of online nutrition-related information

Evaluating a Conceptual Model of Credibility Evaluation of Web Information: Structural Equations Modeling Approach

The current research aimed to develop a localized and literature-dependent model related to credibility evaluation of web information as identified by students in top universities of Iran. In terms of its usability, the model then will be evaluated in a sample of student users in top universities of Iran. Finally, the research population for testing the model is students enrolled in top universities of Iran in curriculum year of 2016-2017. Data analysis conducted by software like LISREL 8.7 and SPSS20 which are developed for Structural Equation Modelling. Such statistic tests like confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation ratio, Friedman Test, multivariate analysis of variance were used for data analysis according to each research question. The Web Information Credibility Scale-Persian (WICS-P) was validated according to the structural and overall goodness of fit showing a high quality on measuring the variable in the context studied. There exists, however, differences among the dimensions. As the first research exploring the concept in Iran, the current research is a response to the lack of such a tool in related literature

Evaluating a Conceptual Model of Credibility Evaluation of Web Information: Structural Equations Modeling Approach

The current research aimed to develop a localized and literature-dependent model related to credibility evaluation of web information as identified by students in top universities of Iran. In terms of its usability, the model then will be evaluated in a sample of student users in top universities of Iran. Finally, the research population for testing the model is students enrolled in top universities of Iran in curriculum year of 2016-2017. Data analysis conducted by software like LISREL 8.7 and SPSS20 which are developed for Structural Equation Modelling. Such statistic tests like confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation ratio, Friedman Test, multivariate analysis of variance were used for data analysis according to each research question. The Web Information Credibility Scale-Persian (WICS-P) was validated according to the structural and overall goodness of fit showing a high quality on measuring the variable in the context studied. There exists, however, differences among the dimensions. As the first research exploring the concept in Iran, the current research is a response to the lack of such a tool in related literature

Integrating Users’ Perceptions to Identify Features Indicating the Quality of Cancer-Related Podcasts Provided by Non-Profit Cancer Organisations

While cancer podcasts are valuable for support and information, there is a significant gap in understanding their quality features from users’ perspectives. Understanding quality features from users’ perspectives is important to ensure that cancer-affected people receive the support they need. This study addresses this gap by combining multiple theoretical perspectives: a. the IQ assessment framework, source credibility theory, two-factor theory of website design to assess the quality of podcasts, and b. reception theory to highlight listeners’ perception of quality. These perspectives, together, enrich the concept of information systems quality and provide a comprehensive understanding of podcasts’ quality. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 cancer-affected individuals, the research found that credibility, content, and design were essential quality features, with the visual appearance serving as a motivational factor. The integration of Reception Theory highlights users’ active role in shaping quality perceptions, offering new insights into the effective design of cancer-related podcasts. This novel approach bridges a critical research gap, illuminating the complex interplay of technical and human factors in assessing podcast quality from the perspective of users