| One Reason Calorie-Tracking Apps Might |
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Countless Americans use smartphone apps that help them track the number of calories they consume each day, but a new study finds that people who used a popular one after their doctor recommended it did not lose any weight.
The research doesn't Meizitang Strong Version conclusively debunk the idea of using such apps as weight-loss tools. Some participants were barely overweight to begin with, as well as their degree of motivation varied, the researchers noted, and they added that they believe MyFitnessPal is okay like a calorie counter for those who are prepared to use it.
"I recommend it to my own patients who wish to slim down and revel in using apps," said study author Dr. Brian Yoshio Laing. However, "most patients were not prepared to commit the time to track calories. It requires several minutes to input everything you eat for each meal. Many patients felt it was too tedious, but some patients enjoy it and like obtaining the feedback on their daily calorie intake."
With MyFitnessPal, users sign in and record everything they eat and drink each day, while the app tracks the calories and nutritional value of what is consumed.
At issue is the obesity epidemic. According to medical researchers, more than one-third of Americans are obese, that is a step beyond overweight, with middle-aged people, blacks and Latinos especially prone to carry excess weight.
Apps like MyFitnessPal allow individuals to track not just their calories but also how much exercise they're getting. Ideally, individuals will adjust their diets after they realize how many calories they're consuming.
MyFitnessPal has Sixty five million users and most 4 million foods in the database, said company spokeswoman Rebecca Silliman.
In the study, just over 200 overweight and obese primary care patients within the Los Angeles area were randomly assigned by their doctors to either use the MyFitnessPal app or get regular care. Researchers accompanied at six months to determine what happened to them.
The researchers couldn't reach most of the patients. Of those who could be tracked, there was no distinction between the 2 groups when it found alterations in weight and hypertension.
"Many patients used the app initially but usage delivered pretty quickly within the first to two months," Laing said. "There was some data suggesting the greater people used the app, the greater weight they lost. But we don't determine if this was since they were more motivated and would've dropped a few pounds without or with the app."
Some patients appreciated the app, including some who lost greater than 10 pounds. One said: "I realized I had been consuming 5,000 to 6,000 [calories] per day and afterward I never ate that much again!" Another had this to state: "The app showed me where my problems are -- and so i reduced portion sizes and reduce alcohol, carbs and sweets."
Silliman, the MyFitnessPal spokeswoman, said using the app requires willingness and commitment. "We realize that the app works, because we hear from our customers each day they have achieved their fitness goals by using this tool," she said.
Can calorie-counting apps become more effective? Study author Laing thinks so. "A faster, streamlined interface for entering foods may be a priority," he explained. "Alternatively, weight-loss apps could assess an individual's Meizitang Botanical Slimming readiness for self-monitoring before while using app and may prepare new users for the potential time commitment."
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11月19日（水）18:29 | トラックバック(0) | コメント(0) | Job | 管理
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