Calorie counting and fitness tracking technology: Associations with eating disorder symptomatology

Simpson, Courtney C.; Mazzeo, Suzanne E.

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.02.002

Cited by 145 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…As r/loseit was indicated to be the health‐related subreddit with the most frequent mentions of body terms, the findings suggest that fitness tracker interest is particularly high in people with a high interest in the body. This is in line with previous findings that fitness tracker usage was positively associated with shape and weight concerns (Simpson & Mazzeo, ). Undertaking exercise for weight‐management (i.e., ‘weight control exercise’) is a key dimension of compulsive exercise, and has been linked with shape and weight concerns in both community and clinical eating disorder samples (e.g., Noetel et al, ; Taranis et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…This suggests that r/proED is less recovery focused than r/fuckeatingdisorders and r/EatingDisorders. Due to the more frequent mentions of fitness trackers in r/proED, this finding suggests that, while self‐reported fitness tracker usage has been positively associated with eating disorder symptomatology (Hefner et al, ; Simpson & Mazzeo, ), this relationship might be more nuanced. Rather, the association between fitness tracker usage and these symptoms might be moderated by a person's stage of change regarding recovery (cf.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Text‐mining as a methodology to assess eating disorder‐relevant factors: Comparing mentions of fitness tracking technology across online communities

McCaig

Bhatia

Elliott

et al. 2018

Intl J Eating Disorders

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The technique exemplified here can potentially be used to assess group differences to identify at-risk populations, generate and explore clinically relevant research questions in populations who are difficult to recruit, and scope an area for which there is little extant literature. The technique also facilitates methodological triangulation of research findings obtained through more 'traditional' techniques, such as surveys or interviews.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Text‐mining as a methodology to assess eating disorder‐relevant factors: Comparing mentions of fitness tracking technology across online communities

McCaig

Bhatia

Elliott

et al. 2018

Intl J Eating Disorders

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Of course these data are retrospective and self-report, and therefore, we cannot determine if there is a causal relationship between usage of My Fitness Pal and eating disorder symptoms. However, this study adds to the recent growing literature showing a relationship between calorie tracking and eating disorder pathology (Simpson & Mazzeo, 2017). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…It is important to understand how this type of app impacts individuals with eating disorders, given that individuals with eating disorders often become obsessive and perfectionistic about counting calories, which can lead to increased eating disorder behaviors and clinical impairment (Tchanturia, Lloyd, & Lang, 2013). Recent research suggests that, in an undergraduate sample, tracking calories with a mobile device or application is associated with higher eating disorder pathology (Simpson & Mazzeo, 2017). However, this association has not yet been tested in a clinical sample of individuals with eating disorders.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the widespread usage of My Fitness Pal and related calorie counting apps, there is very little research on their usage and no research we could locate specifically in individuals diagnosed with eating disorders. The research that does exist on calorie-tracking applications suggests that the feedback on My Fitness Pal may lead to a restrictive, unbalanced diet (Rentko, 2015) and is associated with higher eating disorder pathology (Simpson & Mazzeo, 2017). Furthermore, it has been suggested that My Fitness Pal usage may lead to a risk of over-evaluation of weight and shape (which is a defining feature of eating disorders) and should not be used in those at risk for an eating disorder (Evans, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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My Fitness Pal calorie tracker usage in the eating disorders

2017

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Mobile phone and tablet usage has become a part of modern life. Mobile applications that count calories, such as My Fitness Pal, are frequently employed on a daily basis. Recent research has shown that in undergraduates, calorie tracking is associated with eating disorder pathology. In the current study (N = 105 individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder), we assessed usage of My Fitness Pal to track calories. We also assessed perceptions that My Fitness Pal contributed to eating disorder symptoms and if these perceptions were associated with eating disorder symptoms. We found that a substantial percentage (~75%) of participants used My Fitness Pal and that 73% of these users perceived the app as contributing to their eating disorder. Furthermore, we found that these perceptions were correlated with eating disorder symptoms. This research suggests that My Fitness Pal is widely used in an eating disorder population and is perceived as contributing to eating disorder symptoms. Further research is needed to clarify the role calorie tracking applications play within a sample of individuals with eating disorders.

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Monitoring eating and activity: Links with disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and general wellbeing among young adults

Plateau

Bone

Lanning

et al. 2018

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective To explore the relationships between the use of food intake and activity monitoring tools with compulsive exercise, eating psychopathology, and psychological wellbeing. Method Participants (N = 352; mean age 21.90 years) indicated their use of activity and food intake monitoring tools, and completed the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET), Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Results Users of monitoring tools reported significantly higher CET and EDE‐Q scores than nonusers. Positive associations were detected between the frequency of activity monitoring tool use with CET and EDE‐Q scores. Participants who reported using monitoring tools primarily to manage weight and shape reported higher levels of eating and compulsive exercise psychopathology than those who reported using tools to improve health and fitness. Discussion Features of compulsive exercise and eating psychopathology are elevated among users of food intake and activity monitoring tools; and particularly among those who report using the tools for weight and shape purposes. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to further our understanding of these observed associations, and specifically to explore the prospective relationships between monitoring tool use, eating psychopathology, and compulsive exercise.

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Calorie counting and fitness tracking technology: Associations with eating disorder symptomatology

Cited by 145 publications

References 11 publications

Text‐mining as a methodology to assess eating disorder‐relevant factors: Comparing mentions of fitness tracking technology across online communities

Text‐mining as a methodology to assess eating disorder‐relevant factors: Comparing mentions of fitness tracking technology across online communities

My Fitness Pal calorie tracker usage in the eating disorders

Monitoring eating and activity: Links with disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and general wellbeing among young adults

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