Although mobile apps could hold great promise for successful adjunctive treatment, it is also possible that existing apps, which are not specifically developed for eating disorders, could cause harm to individuals with eating disorders. Many of these programs use empirically-based principles and have potential to be used as adjuncts to successful treatment ( Juarascio, Manasse, Goldstein, Forman, & Butryn, 2015).īefore widespread usage of mobile apps are applied in eating disorder treatment, it has been recommended that their feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy be evaluated ( Juarascio et al., 2015). In the eating disorders, there are several apps that have been designed specifically for eating disorders and that have widespread usage for treatment, including Recovery Record and Rise Up+ Recover. With the increase in smartphone and tablet usage comes the proliferation of mobile applications (apps) that can be used to influence health behaviors ( Ellison, Wonderlich, & Engel, 2015). It is estimated that 64% of Americans own a smartphone, with even higher rates among younger adults ( Smith, 2015). Mobile phone and tablet usage has become a part of modern day daily life. Further research is needed to clarify the role calorie tracking applications play within a sample of individuals with eating disorders. This research suggests that My Fitness Pal is widely used in an eating disorder population and is perceived as contributing to eating disorder symptoms. Furthermore, we found that these perceptions were correlated 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. We also assessed perceptions that My Fitness Pal contributed to eating disorder symptoms and if these perceptions were associated with eating disorder symptoms. In the current study ( N = 105 individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder), we assessed usage of My Fitness Pal to track calories.

Recent research has shown that in undergraduates, calorie tracking is associated with eating disorder pathology. Mobile applications that count calories, such as My Fitness Pal, are frequently employed on a daily basis.

Mobile phone and tablet usage has become a part of modern life.

Websites like myfitnesspal