Health apps? yay or nay?

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With the emerging technology, there are a lot of new applications (apps) and websites that claim to help you stay on track with your lifestyle goals. As much as these apps can be very useful, users can misuse these apps and end up with misconceptions about nutrition, which can interrupt their relationship with food. Studies have shown that health apps can create social isolation, addiction, and anxiety through peer pressure and elevated sedentary activity through increased screen time. Before considering to utilize health/nutrition/lifestyle apps or websites, it is important to understand that these apps are built to help users to reach their personal goals, not to act as the health bible. Here are some things to consider before using health apps:
  • Brainstorm and write down your own goals. Make a list of what you personally want to achieve. It is useful to create SMART goals; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. A good example of SMART goal is “lowering blood glucose levels by 20 mg/dL within the next month by controlling and tracking my carbohydrate intake”. This example is specific (blood glucose level), measurable (lowering it by 20 mg/dL), attainable (controlling carbohydrate intake), and time-based (within 1 month).
  • Talk to a registered dietitian. Before or after you create your goal, a registered dietitian would be able to help you with the best approach to achieve your goal, or even find your own personal goal if you are unable to come up with one. Registered dietitians are experts in nutrition. They will help you avoid false nutrition information and provide you with scientifically backed facts.
  •  Once you have a solid plan and goal, then it is time to start using the appropriate apps to help you stay in track with your goal.  

Smartphone apps are great because it is almost always accessible. However, keep in mind that smartphone apps are not a tool to bypass health professionals such as doctors and dietitians. If you are looking for more convenient options to access health professionals, try exploring telehealth. Telehealth allows its users to have more freedom in getting health consultation. Keep in mind that you should do your own research while choosing your telehealth resource. Make sure the resource is credible, and their specialty is in line with your goal.


-SP


Rashid, R., Perego, P., Condon, L., Jakobsen, J. C., Lindschou, J., Gluud, C., … Lissau, I. (2020). Health apps targeting children with overweight—a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of randomised clinical trials. Systematic Reviews, 9(1). doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-1269-0

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