Tier-1 Analysis

Jon Ostrowski – ENGL5369 Tier 1 Data Analysis

Within the Healthy Weight Forum – there are numerous topics in the forum. It should be noted that this is not a professional website in the sense the users are seeking real medical advice. Merely a social network of like minds and a weight –loss challenge. The site disclaimer indicates:
“Healthy Weight Forum does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.”
URL - http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/forum/default.asp
From the site I am using I am taking selected threads and conducting an analysis of the posts. These “snapshots” can be analyzed for content, words used, levers etc. Once that is completed, I am attempting my findings if possible back to the assigned readings. I have a section that relates pages of the readings that I feel relate to this online community project. I am going to post this report on my blog and or the facebook page and also submit to Dr. Kemp.

At a high level, there is the:
Healthy Weight Forum
People can read and try the suggestions they want. And the appealing part is they can ignore the links for sites seeking money for advice, and use the advice posted for free! This site appears to have visitors from around the world. For the analysis, this should not be an issue, although we may find cultural or regional differences in the rhetoric. This could possibly make for an interesting combination of different approaches by different cultures in posting to a weight-loss site.
This forum has several sub-topics.
General
General Discussion – general discussion folder on weight loss in general. There are several examples of common questions like “How to lose weight?” or more specifically “What is the best way to lose belly fat?” Of course as this is a public site with non-medical professionals responding, we see a variety of rhetoric in this selected thread:





Analysis of one thread:
phen25 – Responds with tips and suggestions, but there are major grammar and spelling errors. Additionally, this user suggests “weight loose pills” (sic) and then proceeds to post a link where you can buy the pills. This is a prime example of a user with little or no credibility in the weight loss group. While spelling is not crucial, many are put off by the lack of basic writing skills in the posts.

alvineagle – This poster is an example of what it appears the groups likes in it members. A few cooments on BMI, consult with you health care provider, lose weight gradually, exercise etc. No links to diet pils or other web sites. Correct spelling and punctuation and right to the point!

angelathompson – Another example of a serious poster, one that uses and participates in the group for results and motivation in weight loss. She even includes a profile picture, adding to her credibility and “professional” approach to the forum. Her advice is also the standard, eat right, res and sleep, etc.

mohan4336 – This poster is straight to the point, a simple sentence and list of 4 items you can use to lose belly fat. Simple and to the point, trying it costs you nothing and the results may be successful.

Healthcares – Appears to be a regular poster with 29 posts, but posting is again difficult to read and understand. The advice appears to make no sense to the average user and appears to be ramblings on a person with good intentions perhaps, but lacks the skill to communicate them

lizzybenny – Posts a four word response to “setting a realistic goal”. Perhaps not the most detailed extensive response, but for an informal group such as this – a brief suggestion that users may take or leave.




General Analysis
Why do individuals feel comfortable posting to perfect strangers information on weight loss challenges. Maybe it is a “we are all in the same boat” or a “safety in number” mentality?
In looking more closely at the postings under forum for my chosen site. I thought this would be safe: Healthy Weight Forum : General, but the first post is for a new diet drug followed by another post indicating “we are not really about quick fixes and drugs on this forum”. The responder appears to take the site seriously, and is not going to put up with any “quick fix” for weight loss. So the questionable post on a diet drug was by an identified “newbie” followed by reprimands from so-called “Senior Members”. One problem with the posts in the topic, while interesting, many are several years old. There is still discourse that can be pulled from these relatively new postings.
In some cases , I have discovered that people post a little or in some case more information that is required. While there are no requirements officially, it is interesting to note and analyze why some put more and some post less information. Could it be as in real life, some people just talk more than others?
Interesting to note this poster put age, height 25 years old, 5'5, and:

Starting weight: 265 lbs, May 2006
Current weight: 221 lbs
Goal weight: 175 lbs
None of this information is requested or required, but what motivates some to post it and some to not post any details. Could it be the “if I write it down, goals etc, way of thinking?” Perhaps, maybe just positive reinforcement in a way for an accomplished weight loss and ongoing motivation for the person.
Looking under the same forum:
Healthy Weight Forum : General

Topic: Hello to All
Here is a recent post by a newbie that consists of nothing but recipe site links. Makes me wonder if they are just trying to redirect traffic to the recipe sites and hope folks click on the ads. A person like this does not appear to have much credibility within the group, as most can see the main reason they even signed up and posted as a marketing ploy.





Another thread starts with a poster indicating they went off their diet and need help. We can see other posters offering advice and encouragement to others. A sense of we are all in this together even thought we are strangers posting to a weight loss site.
NOTE: I have several more threads to analyze, I am in the process of identifying the most suitable for analysis from the thousands of posts. These additional threads will be in the final project.





Words or terms - found in the general discussion include:
• advice
o “I can only give you advice based on what I have found to work…”
• cardio
o “…cardio is what is needed to drop the pounds initially…”
• pounds
o “I want to lose a few pounds after the New Year…”
• Weightwatchers
o “I think Weightwatchers is little over-hyped…”
o “just wondering if anyone has used Weight Watchers……”
• help
o “Hope you can help me out…”
o “…it helps me establish healthy eating…”
• Calories
o “…consuming about 2500 calories everyday plus with little activity...”
• lifestyle
• exercise
• attitude
• carbohydrates
• support
o “you need support from the people around you…”


Credibility – Usually by posters who have been in the forum a longer period of time for example:
stormgirl wrote:
o “…cardio is what is needed to drop the pounds initially…”
Who is stormgirl? Well according to the displayed information and the date of her last post, she has been an active member for about 2 years. Is she a doctor or medical professional? We don’t know but can assume she is not. She is presented here personal opinion and or advice on how to lose pounds using a technique that worked for her. This gives her a bit of credibility in the community.
Joined: 25 September 2009
Other members appear to lose credibility, due to the fact the post a short comment and end with an “...oh by the way check out this link….” They are just logging in to find a way to drive traffic to a certain other weight-loss product or site. Posters who take the site seriously, tend to reprimand the posters that are promoting other sites or weiht-loss products.

Food Diary
Enter you food entries here
Exercise
Exercise Activities Discussion
Pilates
Join this fast growing phenomenon
Maintenance Area
So you've lost the weight. How do you main it?

Another top level forum subject is:
• Motivation Corner
• This forum has several sub-topics.
o Motivation
This is a general space to get to know everyone on the forum and for general 'chat'. Post your story today
o Weekly Weigh-in
If you'd like to join others sharing your weight loss success with a weekly weigh in....
o Before and After Pictures
Upload your before and after pictures here
• General chatter
• This forum has several sub-topics.
 Introduction
Why not introduce yourself
 Social Corner
Off-topic talk
 Humour
Games, poems and jokes
• Weight Loss Challenges




Summary of Four Elements
• Relatively Defined Group of Users: While the participants are from around the world, they have one thing in common, they are seeking or providing weight-loss information to a public, free site. Many posters provide individual struggles and ask for help, and others post success stories, in an attempt to motivate and inspire the others. We also have members that appear to be promoting weight-loss cures or other websites. The focus of this analysis is for the “legitimate” posters, using the website to help and seek weigh loss information.
• Domains of Concern:
• Primary—research, advice, support in a community of individuals with various weigh-loss challenges and successes, each providing information and advice in response to postings by members of the forum.
• Secondary—Is the advice useful, it is noted that this is not official medical advice, additionally, posters may have alterior motives such as selling weight loss drugs or promoting traffic to another pay site, selling recipes.
• Catalog of Usage: I have listed some initial terms with more to follow after the additional analysis.
• Psychological Levers: Work in progress as I analyze the posted content.(added soon)