Eating disorder apps

Eating disorder apps

  • The causes of eating disorders are complex and don't involve just one factor.
  • Getting support is crucial to recovery, so seek help sooner than later.
  • Eating disorder apps may be used to support your recovery, together with other treatments recommended by your health professional.
  • Read more about eating disorder apps
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An eating disorder is an overall term for a number of conditions that involve eating in a disordered way, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder.

  • Eating disorders can affect women and men of all age groups, from a range of backgrounds and from different cultures.
  • Getting professional help and support from others is important.
  • Some eating disorder apps may be used to support your recovery, together with other treatments recommended by your health professional.

 

Here are a few eating disorder apps that Healthify has reviewed

 App  Features  Clinical score

Rise Up + Recover

  • Logging (meals, emotions and behaviours)
  • Reminders
  • Self-monitoring homework
  • Education and information
  • Motivational quotes
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Rise Up + Recover

Recovery Record

  • Logging (meals, emotions, behaviours)
  • Reminders
  • Self-monitoring
  • Education and information
  • Motivational quotes
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Recovery Record
Not recommended: My Fitness Pal
This app is not designed specifically for users with eating disorders (although users have often used this or similar apps to control calorie intake). My Fitness Pal, (or any similar app) that encourages users to set a calorie intake goal and actively records calorie intake is unlikely to be helpful to users in the treatment of eating disorders. May be helpful for users who do not have disordered eating to monitor macronutrient intake if their health requires them to have specific nutrition goals.

References

  1. Fairburn CG, Rothwell ER. Apps and eating disorders: A systematic clinical appraisal.(external link) Int J Eat Disord. 2015 Nov;48(7):1038-46.
  2. Lindgreen P, Lomborg K, Clausen L. Patient Experiences Using a Self-Monitoring App in Eating Disorder Treatment: Qualitative Study.(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Jun 22;6(6):e10253
  3. Juarascio AS, Manasse SM, Goldstein SP, et al. Review of smartphone applications for the treatment of eating disorders.(external link) Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2015 Jan;23(1):1-11
  4. Loucas CE, Fairburn CG, Whittington C, et al. E-therapy in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.(external link) Behav Res Ther. 2014 Dec;63:122-31
App developer: If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at hello@healthify.nz

Disclaimer: Healthify’s app library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

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