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Abstract
Both the Unites States and Korea have seen a surge in concern about obesity and an increased popularity in dieting. Recently, a new trend in dieting has appeared- weight loss websites. Prior studies have found 44 percent of Internet users saying they go online to look for information about dieting. This research uses a quantitative content analysis. A total of 100 (50 U.S./ 50 Korean) weight loss websites are analyzed to investigate the appeals used by each site. Other features (Interactivity/Product sales/Menu, etc) are analyzed as well. This research assumed that there are significant differences in the appeals used by the two countries weight loss websites. However, the results reveal that the main visual and verbal appeals used by weight loss websites are health and nutrition for both countries. Regarding differences between the two countries, no significant differences were found in terms of the main appeal.