I’m looking at starting up my IMAP server again, so this is very apt. According to a study in Alberta, Canada—Oh CAN-A-DA!—readers of diet spam tend to worry more about their weight and maintain a lower BMI.
In all fairness, I suspect this study was based on emails more like “Hey, did you know that running and eating less lard can make you thinner?” rather than “CI1AL1S DEIT PILLZ INEXP. almost FRE E.”
The 12 week study of 2,598 Canadian workers will be published in the July/August 2005 edition of the American Journal of Health Promotion.
People receiving the e-mails showed an increase in physical activity levels and also had more confidence in being able to participate in physical activity at the study’s end. They also recognized more pros and fewer cons to physical actiivty and were more open to making dietary changes.
Spam can be good for you [Eurekalert]
