People using dating apps likely to control weight in unhealthy ways

May 31, 2019

New Delhi, Jun 01 (ANI): According to a new study, people who use dating apps may be at an increased risk of controlling their weight in unhealthy ways. The study stated that vomiting, laxative use, diet pill, and fasting are among the most common ways to control weight. The study was published in 'Journal of Eating Disorders'. A team of researchers examined data on 1,726 adults enrolled in the Harvard Chan Physical Activity study who completed an online survey assessing their dating app use within the past 30 days and their engagement in six unhealthy weight control behaviours (UWBCs) within the past 12 months. "When comparing those who do not use dating apps to those who do, we found that dating app users had significantly elevated odds of engaging in the six unhealthy weight control behaviours we investigated: vomiting for weight control, using laxatives for weight control, fasting for weight control, using diet pills, using muscle-building supplements, and using anabolic steroids," he added. The authors highlighted that out of the 1,726 adults, 183 women and 209 men used dating apps. Compared to non-users, women who used dating apps had 2.3 to 26.9 times higher odds of engaging in UCWBs, while men who used dating apps had 3.2 to 14.6 times the odds of engaging in UWCBs. Online dating has grown popular in recent years, with apps being used by men and women to find romantic partners. People using the apps choose potential partners based on a number of attributes including physical appearance, which has led to people using unhealthy ways to control their weights.