Email based support may be superior for weight loss.  

Support Group
Support Group

Weight loss is tough and difficult under even the best circumstances.  Almost every dieter is looking for that one thing to help them maximize their weight loss.  Dieters spend billions every year looking for one thing to help them lose and maintain their weight loss.  Is there anything to help them lose and keep the weight loss?  The simple answer is "yes."  Support on the internet can help the busy dieter lose weight and keep it off.  

Recent research from 2017 has supported this fact.  The study published in the Journal of Obesity looked at 301 women that used either email, online, or peer-led discussion​[1]​.  The researchers found that there was not a statistical significance between the three measures of support, but all three helped improve successful weight loss.  

The bottom line: I suspect that all forms of support help with weight loss.  Although not statistically significant, clinically the difference might be significant since email support refused in 51% having improvement versus 38% with support by peer discussion. I personally feel that email is more convenient than peer-to-peer discussion and it might result in more success if the study is done to look specifically at this method of support. Find a support network that works for you.   

Footnotes
[1]Hageman et al., "Web-Based Interventions Alone or Supplemented with Peer-Led Support or Professional Email Counseling for Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance in Women from Rural Communities: Results of a Clinical Trial."

Reference:

  1. Hageman, Patricia A., Carol H. Pullen, Melody Hertzog, Bunny Pozehl, Christine Eisenhauer, and Linda S. Boeckner. "Web-Based Interventions Alone or Supplemented with Peer-Led Support or Professional Email Counseling for Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance in Women from Rural Communities: Results of a Clinical Trial." Journal of Obesity. Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2017. doi: 10.1155/2017/1602627