In the digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for information dissemination and interaction. X (formerly Twitter) stands out as a unique social medium where various influential figures and institutions engage with casual users. Our study aimed to explore the reactions to tweets about obesity and weight loss from different types of accounts, including those representing celebrities, politicians, sportsmen, and health authorities.

Unveiling the Impact of Account Types on Obesity-Related Tweets

Background and Significance

Social media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and behavior. Obesity is a global health issue, and understanding how different accounts on X contribute to the conversation about obesity and weight loss is essential. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of such discussions and their potential impact. 1: The significance of this research lies in its ability to shed light on the influence of various account types on the reach and engagement of obesity-related tweets. By analyzing a large dataset, we can determine which accounts are more effective in generating likes and retweets, which has implications for public health campaigns and awareness. 2: X's unique platform allows for direct communication between celebrities, politicians, and the general public. Understanding how these different groups interact and the messages they convey about obesity is crucial for developing targeted interventions and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Methods and Data Collection

We conducted a comprehensive study by collecting tweets from 2444 X profiles representing seven categories. These categories included celebrities, politicians, sportsmen, medical specialists, medical journals, medical universities, and health institutions. 1: The data collection process was meticulous, ensuring that we captured a diverse range of tweets related to obesity, overweight, body mass index, and weight loss. By retrieving tweets from these accounts, we were able to analyze the sentiment and engagement patterns associated with each category. 2: Using sentiment analysis, descriptive statistics, and multivariable quantile regression modeling, we were able to identify the factors that influence the number of likes and retweets. This allowed us to draw meaningful conclusions about the relative effectiveness of different account types.

Results and Findings

The final dataset consisted of 8989 tweets. Our analysis revealed interesting patterns. Achieving a large number of likes was positively associated with posts written by celebrities, politicians, medical journals, and universities. However, it was negatively associated with tweets authored by health institutions or medical specialists. 1: In the case of retweets, a positive association was observed for all account types except for health institutions. This suggests that while all accounts can generate some level of engagement, health institutions may face challenges in getting their messages widely shared. 2: These relationships were independent of verification status, the number of followers, tweet length, and sentiment. This indicates that the content and the account type itself play a significant role in determining the reach and impact of obesity-related tweets.

Conclusions and Limitations

Tweets concerning obesity and weight loss from health institutions garnered fewer likes and retweets compared to other types of accounts. This highlights the need for health institutions to engage more effectively with their followers and leverage the power of social media. 1: A limitation of the study is the relatively small number of tweets emanating from non-medical accounts. This suggests that there is room for further research to explore the potential of non-medical accounts in promoting obesity-related messages. 2: However, our findings provide valuable insights for X informational campaigns about obesity. By engaging non-medical accounts with many followers, these campaigns can reach a wider audience and have a greater impact on public health.