Millions turn to fitness apps for motivation and guidance, but they may be doing more harm than good.

Are Health and Fitness Apps Promoting Wellness or Harm?

Health and fitness apps are a staple on the smartphones of over 311 million people worldwide. These apps are designed to track calories, monitor steps, and set fitness goals to promote wellness. But are they truly benefiting our health, or are they contributing to new issues? Recent research from Flinders University in Adelaide suggests that, while these apps are often used for good intentions, they might also be linked to harmful behaviors, including disordered eating, body image issues, and compulsive exercise habits.

The Dark Side of Health Apps

Flinders University's research analyzed 38 studies to explore the connections between using diet and fitness apps and the potential risks of becoming obsessed with weight loss, body image, calorie counting, and excessive exercise. Shockingly, the research revealed that frequent users of these apps were more likely to develop unhealthy habits related to food and exercise.

Isabella Anderberg, a PhD student involved in the research, emphasized the findings, noting that young adults who regularly use these apps show greater symptoms of disordered eating, such as harmful and restrictive diets, and have negative thoughts about their body image. While these apps can encourage physical activity, the study suggests they may also have unintended negative consequences for some users.

Disordered Eating and Body Image Concerns

The research found a troubling correlation: people who use diet and fitness apps were more likely to engage in harmful eating behaviors, such as dietary restriction, food obsession, and eating-related anxiety. Fitness apps, in particular, were linked to compulsive exercise, while diet apps were associated with a focus on calorie counting and weight loss.

Interestingly, individuals who use these apps with the goal of losing weight appeared to show more symptoms of disordered eating compared to those using them for general health improvement or fitness goals. However, it should be noted that only a limited number of studies separated the types of apps, such as diet vs. fitness, making it difficult to pinpoint which specific apps contribute most to these findings.

Are They Beneficial or Harmful?

While some apps, like Apple Fitness, come pre-installed on smartphones, and others require downloading, the debate over their impact is ongoing. For a healthy individual, these apps might encourage better eating habits and more physical activity. However, for those predisposed to eating disorders or who are vulnerable—especially adolescents—these apps could potentially worsen symptoms.

Anderberg pointed out that the emphasis many apps place on dietary restriction and weight loss might fuel unhealthy behaviors, particularly for individuals who already have concerns about their body image. These apps can create pressure to meet goals and provoke feelings of guilt when those goals are unmet, which could negatively impact mental health.

Vulnerable Populations at Risk

Sarah Squire, head of knowledge, research, and policy at The Butterfly Foundation, which supports individuals with eating disorders and body image issues, echoed these concerns. While health and fitness apps might promote good nutrition and physical activity for the general population, Squire emphasized that these tools can be problematic for vulnerable individuals. She explained that apps which track food intake, physical activity, or weight can be counterproductive to a person's health and recovery, particularly for those with or at risk of eating disorders.

According to Squire, people vulnerable to eating disorders often develop a “numeric logic,” where they fixate on numbers like calories, weight, or step counts. This can lead to obsessive behaviors and further exacerbate their condition.

Correlation, Not Causation

It’s important to note that the research found a correlation between using health apps and increased risk of disordered eating behaviors, not causation. Eating disorders are complex, involving a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. So, while health apps may play a role in exacerbating symptoms, they are unlikely to be the sole cause of an eating disorder.

Squire explained that eating disorders are multifaceted, and the apps merely contribute to an already existing set of risks. However, she noted that individuals predisposed to disordered eating may use these apps to reinforce unhealthy behaviors, which suggests that better in-app screening processes could be beneficial.

Calls for More Research and Regulation

Currently, health and lifestyle apps are not regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which treats them as tools or sources of information rather than medical devices. With increasing concerns about their negative effects, Squire advocates for more regulation in this space, urging users to be mindful of the apps they download.

Before using any app, Squire recommends asking critical questions: Who developed it? Is it a commercial entity? What experts contributed to its design? Has it been tested or reviewed in scientific studies? As many of these apps are marketed based on popularity rather than scientific backing, consumers need to be discerning.

Should You Delete Your Health App?

So, what’s next for users of health and fitness apps? According to Squire, this research provides a valuable starting point for people to examine how their relationship with these apps might be affecting their mental health. She encourages users to reflect on their feelings when using the apps—whether they feel guilt, shame, or negative comparisons to others. If this is the case, she recommends seeking support through services like The Butterfly Foundation’s national helpline.

For anyone concerned about the potential harm caused by health and fitness apps, Squire advises seeking personalized guidance from qualified professionals, such as dietitians or exercise physiologists, rather than relying solely on apps.

Conclusion

While health and fitness apps can help many people adopt healthier habits, they come with risks, particularly for those already vulnerable to body image issues or eating disorders. More research is needed to better understand these risks, and greater regulation of the app industry could help ensure these tools are used safely. For those who feel their app use is becoming harmful, it’s important to take a step back and consider seeking professional support to maintain a healthy relationship with fitness and wellness.

For those seeking help with eating disorders or body image issues, The Butterfly Foundation offers support through their national helpline at 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or online at www.butterfly.org.au.