Samantha L Hahn1,2, Vivienne M Hazzard3,4,5, Nicole Larson3, Laura Klein3, Katie A Loth6, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer3. 1. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 1300 S 2nd St, 300 Block West Bank Office Building, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA. hahn0203@umn.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA. hahn0203@umn.edu. 3. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 1300 S 2nd St, 300 Block West Bank Office Building, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA. 5. Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research, 120 Eighth St S, Fargo, ND, 58103, USA. 6. Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 717 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine (1) the types of technologies or other applications (apps) emerging adults use to track their eating, physical activity, or weight; (2) who uses these apps and (3) whether eating and weight-related concerns during adolescence predict app use in emerging adulthood. METHODS: Longitudinal survey data were obtained from EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study, N = 1428), a population-based sample of ethnically/racially and socioeconomically diverse adolescents (mean age: 14.5 ± 2.0 years), who were followed into emerging adulthood (mean age: 22.0 ± 2.0 years). Data were used to examine sociodemographic correlates of physical activity- and dietary-focused app use. Adjusted, gender-stratified logistic regressions were used to investigate longitudinal relationships between eating and weight-related concerns in adolescence and app use in emerging adulthood. RESULTS: Compared to men, women were more likely to use physical activity- (23.2 versus 12.5%, p < 0.001) and dietary-focused apps (16.1 versus 5.5%, p < 0.001). Among women, eating and weight-related concerns in adolescence, particularly unhealthy muscle-building behaviors (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.03-2.92), were associated with later dietary-focused app use. Among men, use of other muscle-building behaviors and body dissatisfaction in adolescence predicted use of physical activity- (ORother muscle-building = 1.60, 95% CI 1.03-2.49 and ORbody dissatisfaction = 1.67, 95% CI 1.06-2.65) and dietary-focused (ORother muscle-building = 2.18, 95% CI 1.07-4.47 and ORbody dissatisfaction = 2.35, 95% CI 1.12-4.92) apps 8 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Eating and weight-related concerns may predict later use of physical activity- and dietary-focused apps; future research is needed to understand whether use of such apps further increases eating and weight-related concerns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, well-designed longitudinal cohort study.
PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine (1) the types of technologies or other applications (apps) emerging adults use to track their eating, physical activity, or weight; (2) who uses these apps and (3) whether eating and weight-related concerns during adolescence predict app use in emerging adulthood. METHODS: Longitudinal survey data were obtained from EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study, N = 1428), a population-based sample of ethnically/racially and socioeconomically diverse adolescents (mean age: 14.5 ± 2.0 years), who were followed into emerging adulthood (mean age: 22.0 ± 2.0 years). Data were used to examine sociodemographic correlates of physical activity- and dietary-focused app use. Adjusted, gender-stratified logistic regressions were used to investigate longitudinal relationships between eating and weight-related concerns in adolescence and app use in emerging adulthood. RESULTS: Compared to men, women were more likely to use physical activity- (23.2 versus 12.5%, p < 0.001) and dietary-focused apps (16.1 versus 5.5%, p < 0.001). Among women, eating and weight-related concerns in adolescence, particularly unhealthy muscle-building behaviors (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.03-2.92), were associated with later dietary-focused app use. Among men, use of other muscle-building behaviors and body dissatisfaction in adolescence predicted use of physical activity- (ORother muscle-building = 1.60, 95% CI 1.03-2.49 and ORbody dissatisfaction = 1.67, 95% CI 1.06-2.65) and dietary-focused (ORother muscle-building = 2.18, 95% CI 1.07-4.47 and ORbody dissatisfaction = 2.35, 95% CI 1.12-4.92) apps 8 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Eating and weight-related concerns may predict later use of physical activity- and dietary-focused apps; future research is needed to understand whether use of such apps further increases eating and weight-related concerns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, well-designed longitudinal cohort study.
Authors: Changzheng Yuan; Donna Spiegelman; Eric B Rimm; Bernard A Rosner; Meir J Stampfer; Junaidah B Barnett; Jorge E Chavarro; Amy F Subar; Laura K Sampson; Walter C Willett Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2017-04-01 Impact factor: 4.897