Fitness apps that track meals and exercise have ‘concerning links’ to eating disorders and body image issues, a study suggests.
Diet and fitness apps are used by more than 300million people globally and are considered a useful way to enable a healthy lifestyle.
But researchers at Flinders University Australia have said using them could increase a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder.
Lead author of the study, Isabella Anderberg said: ‘We found that young adults who use diet and fitness apps have greater disordered eating symptoms.
‘Such as harmful or restrictive diets, and have negative thoughts about body image when compared to those that don’t use them.’
Ms Anderberg, a PhD student, explained that fitness apps focused on weight loss raise concerns for people who have previously struggled with their body image.
She said: ‘The broader implications for mental health need careful consideration, especially among vulnerable populations like adolescents.’
Scientists reviewed 38 studies and found people that used health and fitness apps regularly were more likely to have problematic habits linked with food and exercise.
Fitness apps that track meals and exercise have ‘concerning links’ to eating disorders and body image issues, a study suggests (stock pic)
The study placed previous research into a category of a fitness-tracking app, a diet only app, an app that combines both, and an app that looks at fitness and diet separately.
The study states: ‘Broadly, the results suggest that both diet and fitness apps may be linked to various disordered eating symptomology.’
MyFitnessPal, which has around 200million users worldwide had its own category in the study.
The app offers diet and fitness monitoring and 71 per cent of people in the study who have used it indicated that it somewhat contributed to their eating disorder.
Professor Ivanka Prichard, the study’s senior author said: ‘Our findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy body image and exercise behaviours among young adults.
‘And of being aware of the potential risks associated with the use of diet and fitness apps and for users to approach them with a focus on improving their health.’
The Flinders team says more research is needed to understand the benefits and risks related to using these apps.
They warn that developers have a responsibility to consider the psychological impacts of the apps they create.
