Eating Disorders and Obsessive Tracking

If you need help now

Eating disorders are serious and can be life-threatening. [1] They can be treated, and early treatment matters. [1]

• In the US, in a life-threatening situation, call 911. [1]
• If you are struggling or have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org. [1] Its counselors support people facing mental health struggles and emotional distress. [2]
• ANAD (US) runs a free eating disorders helpline, offering emotional support and referrals, toll-free at 1-888-375-7767. [3]
• In the UK, the NHS says to see a GP as soon as you can if you think you may have an eating disorder. [4] It also lists the charity Beat's helpline at 0808 801 0677. [5]
• Elsewhere: we have not verified a number for your country. Contact your local health service or emergency number.

If you are worried about someone else, tell them you are concerned and encourage them to see a doctor. [4]

What this page covers

Calorie counters, step and exercise trackers, body-measurement apps and glucose monitors can make eating feel measurable. For many people that is harmless. For some, constant tracking can fit with, or feed, an eating disorder. This page is information only. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not tell anyone to eat, restrict or exercise in a particular way. Evidence labels: mixed, insufficient evidence.

Signs that tracking may be a problem

The NHS lists these among symptoms of an eating disorder: spending a lot of time worrying about weight and body shape, avoiding socializing when food will be involved, eating very little, exercising too much, making yourself sick or taking laxatives after eating, and having very strict habits or routines around food. [4] Physical signs include feeling cold, tired or dizzy, a racing heart or fainting, and missed periods. [4]

Signs that tracking has become part of this include feeling unable to eat without logging, distress when a number is missed or "wrong", or rules built around app targets. These examples describe the pattern, not a test. Only a health professional can assess it.

What research shows

• Calorie counters and fitness trackers: associated, not proven causal. In a survey of 493 college students, those who used calorie trackers showed higher eating concern and dietary restraint, after accounting for BMI. [6] The authors said the results are preliminary and that for some individuals the devices might do more harm than good. [6] A survey at one time point cannot show which came first. Label: mixed / limited.
• How people with eating disorders use apps. A qualitative study of 1,695 comments from 920 people on eating disorder forums described how users worked around app safeguards and how they judged the app's accuracy. [7] This describes experience; it does not measure risk.
• Glucose monitors in people without diabetes. We looked for studies on consumer glucose monitors and eating disorders in people without diabetes and found nothing usable. Proper evidence not found. Any link should be treated as unknown, not as safe.
• Type 1 diabetes. In a French cohort of 1,113 adults with type 1 diabetes, a screening questionnaire flagged an eating disorder in 11% without insulin omission and 5% with it, and 16% reported omitting insulin without a flagged eating disorder. [8] See diabetes medicines and consumer glucose data.

What to do about tracking

Tracking is optional. If it brings guilt, fear or rigid rules, it is reasonable to pause it and speak with a doctor or mental health professional. If you have had an eating disorder, ask your care team before starting any food, weight or glucose tracker. Do not use a wearable score to decide how much to eat.

Related guides

• Food diaries and tracking accuracy
• Orthosomnia and sleep-tracking anxiety
• Eating disorders and disordered eating