A recent study conducted by scientists revealed that many popular apps for monitoring nutrition and physical activity can have a negative impact on users. The study analyzed about 60,000 posts on the social network X dedicated to five well-known fitness apps: MyFitnessPal, Strava, WW, Workouts by Muscle Booster, and Fitness Coach & Diet. Researchers concluded that information from social media provides a more accurate representation of the perception of these services than standard surveys, as users are more willing to share their experiences and impressions.
The analysis showed that approximately 13,000 messages contained negative statements. The MyFitnessPal app, which helps track calories and macronutrients, was the subject of the most such posts. Many users shared feelings of shame and disappointment due to failures in achieving their goals. Researchers believe that such emotional experiences can reduce motivation to continue using the app and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The goal-setting system offered to users also turned out to be a source of demotivation. In some cases, users faced overly strict calorie deficits that were difficult to adhere to in real life. Additionally, the lack of necessity to log food intake created a false sense of control, which sometimes led to feelings of guilt or disappointment. Some users completely abandoned the app due to such emotional difficulties. Similar problems were observed among users of sports activity tracking apps. For example, dependence on notifications and progress assessments caused irritation. In some cases, users reported inaccurate recording of workout results, which diminished satisfaction from physical activities. According to the researchers' observations, constant monitoring of progress sometimes deprived users of the joy of their own achievements, especially if the results were not visible to others.
It is worth noting that the study focused only on negative posts, which does not allow for a complete assessment of the benefits of these apps. Nevertheless, the findings underscore that using such services can have unexpected emotional consequences. Scientists emphasize the importance of this data for understanding the impact of digital fitness tools on user motivation and behavior.
Source: NewAtlas
