Apart from cardiometabolic parameters, health tracking apps were found to be effective for glucose management, such as regulating HbA1c and fasting blood glucose concentrations and for improving anxiety, stress and other areas related to mental health.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, the University of South Australia, Central Queensland University, and tertiary institutions in the UK, US and Canada, is said to be the first comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of app-based interventions across various health outcomes and non-communicable disease metrics in adults.
They reported that apps consisting of lifestyle or progress tracking, educational components such as content, guided programs, and tips, as well as interaction with health-care professionals or community were key to achieving improvements in health outcomes.
App-based health tracking, however, did not result in significant effects on other outcomes such as fruit and vegetable intake, reduction in cholesterol levels, triglyceride concentrations, body fat, hospitalization, cardiovascular disease mortality or distress.
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