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Study finds social media can help college students lose weight

Media Outlet: 

CNN

Researchers at Temple's Center for Obesity Research and Education have tested the use of smart phones and social media in a weight loss program geared toward students. Participants were broken into three groups; those who visited a private Facebook page; those who visited the page and received text messages; and those who received no additional support. The group that received the text messages and visited Facebook lost the most weight. "Using a tool like a smart phone, where students can self monitor and receive feedback from experts, was critical" to success, said the program's director, Melissa Napolitano, a professor of kinesiology and a clinical psychologist at CORE.