Associations between the use of fitness and diet tracking technology and disordered eating behaviour: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSION: 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.