Hahn Samantha L, Bornstein Caroline, Burnette C Blair, Loth Katie A, Neumark-Sztainer Dianne
Central Michigan University College of Medicine, 1280 East Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA.
Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 1300 S 2nd St, Suite 300, West Bank Office Building, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
J Eat Disord. 2024 Aug 7;12(1):112. doi: 10.1186/s40337-024-01069-x.
Weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) apps are used by millions, but the effects of their use remain unclear. This study examined longitudinal relationships between WRSM and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults.
Participants (n = 138) were recruited from EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study) to participate in a mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) longitudinal study to understand the impacts of WRSM. In 2018, participants (M=21.7 ± 1.9 years) reported motivations for use and types of WRSM apps used. Dependent variables collected in 2022 (M=25.7 ± 1.9 years) included past year total number of disordered weight control behaviors, disordered muscle building behaviors, compulsive exercise, and binge eating. Linear and logistic regressions were used adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index, and baseline disordered eating. Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Participants using WRSM apps for weight management demonstrated an increase in disordered weight control behaviors over time (β = 0.894, p = .012). Using WRSM apps for "healthy" eating was marginally associated with an increase in disordered weight control behaviors. (β = 0.673, p = .052). Qualitatively, participants reported varied temporality between WRSM and disordered eating, but believed that app use encouraged restriction/binge cycles and normalized disordered eating.
Findings suggest there may be individual variation in the relationships between WRSM and disordered eating, but that using WRSM apps with the motivation of managing eating or weight may increase disordered eating in some. Additionally, WRSM apps may normalize or encourage disordered eating. Therefore, safeguards, including screening and monitoring, are needed to ensure WRSM does not cause or escalate harm among WRSM users.
数百万用户使用与体重相关的自我监测（WRSM）应用程序，但其使用效果仍不明确。本研究在一个基于人群的新兴成年人样本中，考察了WRSM与饮食失调之间的纵向关系。
从“2010 - 2018年饮食与活动研究”（EAT 2010 - 2018）中招募参与者（n = 138），参与一项混合方法（定量和定性）纵向研究，以了解WRSM的影响。2018年，参与者（平均年龄M = 21.7 ± 1.9岁）报告了使用WRSM应用程序的动机及所使用的应用程序类型。2022年（平均年龄M = 25.7 ± 1.9岁）收集的因变量包括过去一年中饮食控制行为紊乱、肌肉锻炼行为紊乱、强迫性运动和暴饮暴食的总数。采用线性回归和逻辑回归，并对社会人口统计学、体重指数和基线饮食失调情况进行了调整。使用归纳主题分析法对25份半结构化访谈进行了分析。
为控制体重而使用WRSM应用程序的参与者，随着时间推移，饮食控制行为紊乱有所增加（β = 0.894，p = 0.012）。为“健康”饮食而使用WRSM应用程序与饮食控制行为紊乱的增加存在微弱关联（β = 0.673，p = 0.052）。在定性分析中，参与者报告了WRSM与饮食失调之间不同的时间关系，但认为使用应用程序会助长限制/暴饮暴食循环，并使饮食失调常态化。
研究结果表明，WRSM与饮食失调之间的关系可能存在个体差异，但出于控制饮食或体重的动机使用WRSM应用程序，可能会在一些人中增加饮食失调行为。此外，WRSM应用程序可能会使饮食失调常态化或助长饮食失调行为。因此，需要采取包括筛查和监测在内的保障措施，以确保WRSM不会对使用者造成伤害或使伤害加剧。
