CANBERRA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- A new Australian research published on Thursday showed health and fitness apps can lead to disordered eating, body image concerns and excessive exercise, highlighting the responsibility that app developers have when designing these apps to prioritize mental health alongside fitness goals.
"Diet and fitness apps are marketed as tools to improve health, however, they may also have unintended negative consequences, such as creating pressure to meet goals, concerns about body image as well as provoking feelings of guilt if goals aren't achieved," said Isabella Anderberg of the Flinders University's College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, who is lead author of the research.
The use of diet and fitness apps which is common among young adults, can be effective in increasing physical activity, tracking meals, calories, and exercise, Anderberg said.
Those who use health and fitness apps regularly are more likely to have problematic habits related to food and exercise, according to research published in the Journal of Body Image.
After reviewing 38 studies to examine the links between the use of diet and fitness apps and the risk of users becoming obsessive about weight loss, body image, calorie counting, and excessive exercise, the study 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 do not use them.
"While some users reported positive experiences such as increased awareness and motivation, the broader implications for mental health need careful consideration, especially among vulnerable populations like adolescents," Anderberg said.
Prof. Ivanka Prichard of the Flinders University said as more people turn to apps for guidance in their wellness journeys, they should ensure that they are prioritizing mental health alongside fitness goals. ■
