Associations Between the Use of Fitness and Diet Tracking Technology and Disordered Eating Behaviour: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews whether using fitness and diet tracking apps is linked to unhealthy eating behaviors, finding some evidence but no clear cause-and-effect.

Contribution

The first systematic review examining the relationship between fitness/diet tracker use and disordered eating behaviors.

Findings

Cross-sectional studies show a link between tracker use and disordered eating behaviors like dietary restraint and excessive exercise.

Experimental studies did not replicate the association found in observational research.

The direction of the relationship between tracker use and disordered eating remains unclear.

Abstract

The fitness and wellbeing technology industry is growing rapidly. Concerns are emerging regarding whether these may increase disordered eating behaviours. This review is the first to systematically examine the relationship between fitness and diet tracker use and disordered eating in general and clinical populations.

The following databases were searched: EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL Plus, ERIC, SportDiscus, ASSIA, Social Science Premium, Sociological Abstracts, Sports Medicine and Educational Health, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global. Studies were selected using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis was used, and results were reported by disordered eating outcome.

Twenty‐seven studies were included in the final review. Cross‐sectional studies revealed reasonably consistent evidence of an association between disordered eating and fitness and diet tracker use, specifically regarding global disordered eating, dietary restraint, excessive exercise, and disordered muscle‐orientated behaviour. However, this association was not replicated in experimental research.

While fitness and diet tracker use is a correlate of disordered eating, it is currently not possible to conclude if they increase disordered eating, or the direction of this relationship. Future research should determine the nature of this relationship and possible mechanisms to ensure their safe use in vulnerable populations.

Fitness and diet trackers (FDTs) are common technologies designed to improve healthCross‐sectional and observational studies, but not experimental studies revealed an association between FDTs and disordered eating.More research is needed on FDT use, especially in vulnerable groups

Fitness and diet trackers (FDTs) are common technologies designed to improve health

Cross‐sectional and observational studies, but not experimental studies revealed an association between FDTs and disordered eating.

More research is needed on FDT use, especially in vulnerable groups

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