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

Abstract

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..