Australian research links fitness/weight loss apps to disordered eating

CW: Eating disorders & mental health 

New research - collated by Flinders University - has found a ‘concerning link’ between health and fitness apps and disordered eating, body image concerns and excessive exercise.

Isabella Anderberg, a student at Flinders University’s College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, phoned into the Newsflash podcast and told Isaac that the “strong focus on numbers” is partly to blame.

“When we think about these apps and what they do, they often focus on things like calorie counting and weight loss. They have a strong focus on numbers and meeting goals. For some people this might become a bit obsessive or cause feelings of guilt if certain goals aren’t being met,” she told listeners.

Ms Anderberg also emphasised that some individuals who are already struggling may “heighten” or “reinforce” negative behaviours and feelings.

“Others might already be experiencing some of those eating and exercise concerns or feeling unhappy in their bodies, so using these apps might heighten or reinforce some of those negative feelings and behaviours as well,” she added.

How can we improve our diet and exercise culture? Ms Anderberg suggested we use the apps to “facilitate improvement and overall health and wellbeing”, as opposed to “changing appearance or driving weight chance”. 

She said the purpose we have for using the app could potentially assist people. Hear more by clicking the link in our comment section. 

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