The internet has created the largest culture shift that mankind has ever seen. Not only has the innovation impacted every industry in the world, but it has also influenced numerous elections and governments. The reason for all of this is because the internet has changed people and the way we interact. It has caused us to evolve in every way possible. So how does the internet effect the world of weight-loss?
1. More information
Every ‘fact’ is just a google search away. To many this seems like a positive situation, but the educated know that there is an epidemic of misinformation online. The internet lets any dummy with a credit card build a website and pronounce themselves as a “health expert.” These same people flood the internet with their own often misguided beliefs. Such circumstances have caused an overload of information online. This is detrimental to the end user because they don’t know who is credible. Internet users often find themselves wasting money on scams and fad diets due to misinformation they read online.
2. More communication
The internet has revolutionized the way we communicate. Data can now travel at speeds faster than ever. Meaning people can send texts, pictures, and videos in seemingly real time to each other from across the world. 5G has made video chatting and mobile phone calls a seamless form of communication. All these break throughs in technology are being leveraged in the world of weight-loss. For example, millions of people use weight-loss related Facebook groups every day. Often, they are a community hub for motivation, advice, support, and recipes. The internet has also opened the doors for virtual treatment plans. For instance, people can video chat their care team via the ILIVEMINDFUL ecosystem to administer their weight-loss plan. This is fantastic for people with Obesity in remote areas who are seeking care. The internet allows them to connect with experts outside of their immediate vicinity.
3. More treatment options
New idea’s spread like wildfire online. If someone find’s something that works, today it is easier than ever to share it with the world. A good example would be the hashtag #vsg. It stands for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and is a form of bariatric surgery. Many younger patients who get the ‘sleeve’ done are sharing photos of their journey on Instagram and using the tag #vsg. This allows other Instagram users to click on the #vsg tag and discover it. Apart from Instagram, Twitter is also a powerful tool used to spread treatment options. Many Physicians spread their best advice on Twitter. Often readers of such advice really resonate with the physicians and end up becoming their loyal patients.
The 'web' or internet is just now starting to mature in 2019. The first safe drug for Obesity Medicine got approved in 2012. Meaning both the internet and Obesity medicine have not reached their full potential. The internet will continue to evolve and transform the way we conduct modern health-care. With these innovations, challenges will be present. One example is the prevalence of cyber bullying. The internet makes it possible for people to further bully each other online. This is important seeing as childhood obesity is one of the main reasons for bullying in schools. In 2019 the bullying follows children home via social media. This can lead to numerous mental health issues. The other problem with the internet is the mass amount of false information posted online. As mentioned earlier this is due to the low barrier of entry to posting stuff online. Even with these challenges, the internet is still a vital tool to healthcare. In fact for many, the internet is the backbone of modern healthcare.
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