The American Heart Association found that people who used
health-related mobile apps or Internet-based applications were more effective
in engaging a healthier lifestyle, including increased physical activity than
those who did not.
How Apps Boost Health
There are 640 million adults and 110 million children who
are obese in the world. In the U.S. ,
roughly a third of adults and children weight more than they should. Overweight
people are at a higher risk of health and chronic health problems. Mobile and Internet apps
have proven to help people adopt a healthier lifestyle, and add more physical
activity to daily schedules. The AHA study reviewed studies from 1999 to 2013
to evaluate the effects of using the Internet, mobile phones, stand-alone
software tools and wearable devices, and the effect they have on personal
health. Researchers found that those who used mobile-based programs were more
likely to increase daily physical activity than those who didn’t use a mobile
app.
Wear It and Move It
Wearable devices that measure and relay how much physical
activity someone does are also effective in improving health, US Media Studios relays.
The more specific or personalized the message, the better than chances of
engaging in a healthier daily diet and adding exercise to the day or week. Most
people who use wearable devices regularly exercise, even if it is to just take
the stairs more often. The AHA study also relays that self-monitoring and
goal-setting programs with multiple methods of communication messaging were
effective, and results were better when there was some level of communication
with health care providers. While there may be some people who scoff at
purchasing a wearable health-related device, there are benefits to it such as
monitoring daily physical activity and water intake, as well as measuring and
recording overall health objectives.
