The allure of a healthier lifestyle, conveniently tracked and managed through our smartphones, has made fitness apps a ubiquitous part of modern life. From counting calories to monitoring steps and sleep cycles, these apps offer a wealth of data aimed at optimizing our well-being. However, a growing body of research suggests that these seemingly benign tools may have a darker side, potentially contributing to disordered eating and body image issues, especially among young adults.
The Rise of Fitness Tracking and its Potential Pitfalls
In 2023, an estimated 311 million people worldwide were using health apps, including popular options like MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, Noom, and WeightWatchers. These apps are marketed as tools to empower individuals to take control of their health by increasing physical activity and promoting healthy eating. However, a recent study has cast a shadow on this optimistic view, highlighting the potential for these apps to trigger or exacerbate unhealthy behaviors, particularly among vulnerable populations.
New Research Links App Use to Disordered Eating
Researchers at Flinders University in Australia conducted a systematic review of 38 studies, exploring the relationship between diet and fitness apps and the risk of users becoming obsessive about weight loss, body image, calorie counting, and compulsive exercise. The findings, published in early 2025, revealed a concerning trend: regular users of these apps were more likely to exhibit problematic habits related to food and exercise.
Isabella Anderberg, the lead researcher from Flinders University, stated, “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.”
The Pressure to Meet Goals and the Guilt of Failure
One of the key concerns raised by the research is the pressure to meet the goals set by these apps. This pressure can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy when users fail to achieve their targets, potentially triggering a cycle of restrictive eating and excessive exercise.
“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,” Anderberg explained.
How Fitness Apps Can Trigger Disordered Eating
Several aspects of fitness apps can contribute to the development or worsening of disordered eating:
Fixation on Numbers
Fitness apps quantify health into hard metrics like weight, body measurements, BMI, calories burned/consumed, and step counts. This can lead to an unhealthy fixation on numbers, where users become preoccupied with hitting arbitrary numerical targets instead of focusing on overall wellness.
Rigid Dieting and Obsession
The focus on calorie counting and dietary restriction can promote rigid dieting behaviors and an obsession with food. This can be particularly harmful for individuals with pre-existing concerns about their weight or body image, potentially leading to restrictive eating or other disordered eating patterns.
Compulsive Exercise
Fitness monitoring apps, with their ability to track exercise frequency, duration, and intensity, can contribute to compulsive exercise. The apps’ features, such as streaks and notifications, can create a sense of obligation to exercise, even when the body needs rest.
Social Comparison and Body Image Issues
Many fitness apps include social features that allow users to share workout data and body stats, creating opportunities for social comparison. This can lead to body image issues and a desire to achieve an unrealistic ideal body type. Studies have shown that exposure to “fitspiration” content can increase body dissatisfaction, especially among young people.
Who is Most at Risk?
While fitness apps can be harmful to anyone, certain groups are particularly vulnerable:
Young Adults
The Flinders University study focused on young adults, finding that they were more likely to experience disordered eating symptoms and negative thoughts about body image when using these apps.
Individuals with Pre-existing Eating Disorder Symptoms
Research suggests that people who use fitness trackers are more likely to have pre-existing symptoms of eating disorders. For these individuals, the apps can exacerbate their symptoms and make recovery more difficult.
Women
Telephone surveys have found that fitness apps are most popular among college-educated women ages 18-29, a group also particularly susceptible to engaging in disordered eating.
Those Focused on Weight/Body Image Reasons
People who use fitness apps primarily for weight control or body image reasons, rather than health reasons, are significantly more likely to experience symptoms of eating disorders.
The Debate: Helpful Tool or Harmful Influence?
It’s important to note that not everyone who uses fitness apps develops unhealthy psychological symptoms. Some studies have even shown that fitness apps can be effective in helping people lose weight and increase physical activity. However, the potential risks cannot be ignored.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness: Fitness apps can increase awareness of diet and exercise habits, providing valuable data for making informed choices.
- Motivation: Some users find that fitness apps motivate them to engage in physical activity and achieve their fitness goals.
- Access to health-related information: Fitness apps can provide access to a wealth of health-related information, empowering users to learn more about their bodies and how to care for them.
Potential Risks
- Obsession with numbers: The quantification of fitness can lead to an unhealthy fixation on numbers, rather than focusing on overall wellness.
- Social comparison: Social features can lead to body image issues and a desire to achieve an unrealistic ideal.
- Disordered eating: The focus on calorie counting and dietary restriction can trigger or exacerbate disordered eating patterns.
- Compulsive exercise: Fitness monitoring apps can contribute to compulsive exercise, even when the body needs rest.
Navigating the App Landscape Responsibly
Given the potential risks and benefits of fitness apps, it’s crucial to approach them with caution and awareness:
Consider Your Motives
Before using a fitness app, ask yourself whether your motive is related to body dissatisfaction or genuine health concerns. If you’re primarily focused on changing your appearance, you may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of these apps.
Be Mindful of Your Thoughts and Feelings
Pay attention to how the app makes you feel. If you find yourself becoming overly anxious about meeting goals, obsessing over numbers, or feeling guilty when you don’t meet your targets, it may be time to re-evaluate your use of the app.
Focus on Overall Wellness
Remember that health is about more than just numbers. Focus on eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and engaging in activities that you enjoy.
Seek Professional Help
If you’re struggling with disordered eating or body image issues, seek professional help from a therapist or registered dietitian.
The Role of App Developers
App developers also have a responsibility to consider the psychological impacts of their products. They should strive to create apps that promote healthy behaviors without encouraging obsessive tendencies or body image concerns.
Prioritizing Mental Health
Mental health should be prioritized alongside fitness goals. App developers should consider incorporating features that promote positive body image, self-compassion, and mindful movement.
Avoiding Triggering Content
App developers should be mindful of the content they include in their apps, avoiding images or messages that could be triggering for individuals with eating disorders or body image issues.
The Bottom Line
Fitness apps can be valuable tools for promoting health and wellness, but they also carry potential risks. By understanding these risks and approaching these apps with caution, users can harness their benefits while minimizing the potential for harm. As research continues to shed light on the complex relationship between fitness apps and mental health, it’s essential to prioritize a balanced and mindful approach to health and well-being.
