Are Fitbits Implicated in Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating in Women?

Megan Gittus; Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz; Haley E. Brown; Ben Richardson; Daniel B. Fassnacht; Georgina R. Lennard; Elise Holland; Isabel Krug

doi:10.1037/hea0000881

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Are Fitbits Implicated in Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating in Women?

Journal article

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Are Fitbits Implicated in Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating in Women?

Megan Gittus, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Haley E. Brown, Ben Richardson, Daniel B. Fassnacht, Georgina R. Lennard, Elise Holland and Isabel Krug

Health Psychology, Vol.39(10), pp.900-904

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000881

PMID: 32406725

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Abstract

Fitbit

wearable technology

body dissatisfaction

disordered eating

ecological momentary assessment

Objective: Using a daily monitoring framework, we examined the psychological consequences of Fitbit self-tracking on state body satisfaction, disordered eating (DE; i.e., binge eating and dietary restraint), levels of exercise engagement, and motivations (appearance vs. fitness/health) in adult women. A further aim within the Fitbit group was to assess whether the level of steps achieved on 1 day would be associated with the state-based outcome measures on the subsequent day. Method: In total, 262 participants who had never used a wearable fitness self-tracking device were allocated to a Fitbit (n = 101) or control condition (n = 161). Participants provided baseline data on sociodemographics, eating pathology, and exercise and then completed a 10-day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) protocol assessing exercise amount and motives, body satisfaction, and DE symptoms via a mobile application. Those in the Fitbit condition wore a Fitbit over the entire assessment period. Results: The use of a Fitbit over a 10-day period had no significant effects on exercise behavior or body satisfaction compared to a control group. However, those in the Fitbit group were more likely to exercise to reach fitness goals and less likely to engage in dietary restraint and binge-eating behavior. Among participants in the Fitbit condition, steps achieved the previous day were not predictive of exercise engagement, body satisfaction, or DE symptoms on the subsequent day. Conclusions: Our study failed to link fitness self-tracking to body dissatisfaction and DE, at least in the early stages of use. Future research directions regarding alternative pathways through which self-tracking devices may exert negative influences are discussed.

Details

Title: Are Fitbits Implicated in Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating in Women?
Authors: Megan Gittus (Author) - University of Melbourne
Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz (Author) - Deakin University
Haley E. Brown (Author) - University of Melbourne
Ben Richardson (Author) - Deakin University
Daniel B. Fassnacht (Author) - Australian National University
Georgina R. Lennard (Author) - Australian National University
Elise Holland (Author) - University of Melbourne
Isabel Krug (Corresponding Author) - University of Melbourne
Publication details: Health Psychology, Vol.39(10), pp.900-904
Publisher: American Psychological Association
DOI: 10.1037/hea0000881
ISSN: 1930-7810
PMID: 32406725
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99726819202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology; Psychology, Clinical

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