TY  - JOUR
AU  - Wang, Ho-Wei
AU  - Chen, Duan-Rung
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/04/06
TI  - Economic Recession and Obesity-Related Internet Search Behavior in Taiwan: Analysis of Google Trends Data
JO  - JMIR Public Health Surveill
SP  - e37
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
KW  - obesity
KW  - economic recession
KW  - Google Trends
KW  - fast food
KW  - internet search
KW  - health-seeking behaviors
KW  - infodemiology
AB  - Background: Obesity is highly correlated with the development of chronic diseases and has become a critical public health issue that must be countered by aggressive action. This study determined whether data from Google Trends could provide insight into trends in obesity-related search behaviors in Taiwan. Objective: Using Google Trends, we examined how changes in economic conditions—using business cycle indicators as a proxy—were associated with people’s internet search behaviors related to obesity awareness, health behaviors, and fast food restaurants. Methods: Monthly business cycle indicators were obtained from the Taiwan National Development Council. Weekly Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) weighted index data were accessed and downloaded from Yahoo Finance. The weekly relative search volumes (RSV) of obesity-related terms were downloaded from Google Trends. RSVs of obesity-related terms and the TWSE from January 2007 to December 2011 (60 months) were analyzed using correlation analysis. Results: During an economic recession, the RSV of obesity awareness and health behaviors declined (r=.441, P<.001; r=.593, P<.001, respectively); however, the RSV for fast food restaurants increased (r=−.437, P<.001). Findings indicated that when the economy was faltering, people tended to be less likely to search for information related to health behaviors and obesity awareness; moreover, they were more likely to search for fast food restaurants. Conclusions: Macroeconomic conditions can have an impact on people’s health-related internet searches. 
SN  - 2369-2960
UR  - http://publichealth.jmir.org/2018/2/e37/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/publichealth.7314
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29625958
DO  - 10.2196/publichealth.7314
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/publichealth.7314
ER  -