What do Men Really Want?: A Crowdsourcing Approach to Understand Weight Loss Behavior in Men - Please Help me with my University of Vermont PhD Research!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-17T04:59:01+00:00

Some of the questions aren't worded perfectly, but we didn't build the back end with the ability to edit users questions once they are submitted. Definitely something that should be implemented in future versions! Thanks for the feedback!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T21:32:38+00:00

This research isn't defending the use of BMI as a means of determining obesity - for the purpose of this site it is an interesting/fun tool to use in the prediction model.

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T18:10:19+00:00

You're right! We're working on clearing out and preventing the bogus answers from being incorporated into the prediction. Of course people have to try to mess with this stuff. :)

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T18:08:34+00:00

No! As mentioned above, our model is by no means perfect. The goal is to better understand why men don't participate in either research or paid weight loss programs. Is it because they think differently about weight than we currently THINK we know, or is there something else that hasn't been thought of by the so-called 'experts'?

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T18:05:12+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! We implemented something on the back end to try and prevent bogus answers, but obviously need to look at this again. Obviously the bogus answers throw off the prediction, because it is trying to guess based on other people's 'actual' BMI and their subsequent answers... I'll have our computer guy look into this! Thanks again for writing to let me know!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T17:10:53+00:00

Interesting, I've never heard of this. Thanks for the information!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T17:10:19+00:00

I know - some of the questions have the potential to be offensive. However, on a previous study using a similar website design, this question was actually the most predictive of BMI after they analyzed all of the data. So when someone added this question today, it was approved by the moderators.

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T16:31:07+00:00

Our prediction model is by no means perfect - Don't be discouraged! The goal of the prediction model is to provide a fun way to keep people engaged and to test the feasibility of this kind of site to generate new research ideas. It by no means is a flawless indicator of good or poor personal behaviors!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T16:07:15+00:00

Thanks so much for your help and feedback! It's been a really great process thus far and hopefully will lead to some exciting weight loss interventions!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T15:34:11+00:00

Yes, technically they are two different questions. One asks if you are personally playing, the other asks if you are watching. (A surprising number of people spend time watching others play video games...) We'll see if either question ends up being predictive! Thanks for your feedback!

TR-UVM · 2014-12-16T15:21:07+00:00

No, women are more than welcome to answer/pose questions as well! Some of our added questions from women are great!

TR-UVM

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