We've discovered the health app and
complimentary devices component of the smartphone and weight loss
industry. However, I couldn't pass up the chance to write a follow up
article based on some new research I stumbled upon. There's well and
truly an app for everything, and there are some 10,000 apps
specifically for diet and weight loss... Quite astronomical, really.
So, how useful are they?
Some
stats to start us off: 91% of adults in the US own a mobile phone. 61%
own a smartphone. Half of smartphone users have used their phone to
search health information. 60% of all downloaded health apps
are related to weight loss and exercise. Perhaps more time walking and less time on our bums letting our fingers do the walking would help.
There
are some studies that suggest the internet and mobile technologies
are beneficial in delivering health behaviour interventions for
lifestyle changes and weight management. It is, of course, traditional
that these interventions are administered by trained healthcare experts
whose strategies are based on evidence. This begs the question: How many health apps can
boast evidence-based strategies?
Evidence-based strategies are those that have demonstrated efficacy through research. For example: Setting weight loss goals, education about food substitutions, portion control, time management and nutrition label reading are evidence-based behavioural strategies that aid weight loss.
Evidence-based strategies are those that have demonstrated efficacy through research. For example: Setting weight loss goals, education about food substitutions, portion control, time management and nutrition label reading are evidence-based behavioural strategies that aid weight loss.
A
majority of apps included weight loss goal setting and diet goals (90%).
87% of apps included calorie balance tracking (calories in vs calories
out). The two highest scoring apps included 65% of behaviour
strategies (MyNetDiary free and MyNetDiary Pro). The next
highest scoring apps only included 25% of strategies (All-In Fitness and
Noom Weight Loss). That's quite a quality difference.

In the end, evidence-based strategies are important, but so too is interface, user experience and the ability for people to engage and reengage with the app - which are imperative for long term behaviour change. Self monitoring and recording are associated with improved weight loss. So too is frequent and consistent monitoring of foods eaten which results in twice as much weight loss compared to infrequent monitoring.
The short recap:
- Weight loss apps can be useful
- Look out for ones that support your healthy lifestyle changes in the long term
- It still takes drive and motivation... Just because you downloaded an app, doesn't mean the weight magically falls off
No comments:
Post a Comment