Tracking Our Lives Study

Impact of Using Self-monitoring Smartphone Applications on College Students' Well-being

College women are at risk for eating disorders, which have profound health impacts. Cross-sectional studies have shown that the use of dietary self-monitoring is associated with eating disorder risk among college students. However, causality cannot be established with cross-sectional studies.

This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design to examine how the use of a popular dietary self-monitoring smartphone application impacts college females' well-being, including eating disorder risk. We hypothesize those who are randomized to dietary self-monitoring will have a greater increase in eating disorder risk compared to the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor undergraduate student
• Daily access to a smartphone
• Female gender
• At least 18 years of age
• Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported history of any medical condition that impacts the types or amount of food eaten
• Self-reported recent use of dietary self-monitoring
• Self-reported history of an active or past eating disorder
• Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS) score ≥ 2, indicating high eating disorder risk