The use of mobile apps and fitness trackers to promote healthy behaviors during COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives To examine i) the use of mobile apps and fitness trackers in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to support health behaviors; ii) the use of COVID-19 apps; iii) associations between using mobile apps and fitness trackers, and health behaviors; iv) differences in usage amongst population subgroups. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted during June–September 2020. The survey was developed and reviewed independently by co-authors to establish face validity. Associations between using mobile apps and fitness trackers and health behaviors were examined using multivariate logistic regression models. Subgroup analyses were conducted using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Three open-ended questions were included to elicit participants’ views; thematic analysis was conducted. Results Participants included 552 adults (76.7% women; mean age: 38±13.6 years); 59.9% used mobile apps for health, 38.2% used fitness trackers, and 46.3% used COVID-19 apps. Users of mobile apps or fitness trackers had almost two times the odds of meeting aerobic physical activity guidelines compared to non-users (odds ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.07 to 3.46, P = .03). More women used health apps than men (64.0% vs 46.8%, P = .004). Compared to people aged 18–44 (46.1%), more people aged 60+ (74.5%) and more people aged 45–60 (57.6%) used a COVID-19 related app (P Conclusions Use of mobile apps and fitness trackers during the pandemic was associated with higher levels of physical activity, in a sample of educated and likely health-conscious individuals. Future research is needed to understand whether the association between using mobile devices and physical activity is maintained in the long-term. Author summary Technologies such as mobile apps or fitness trackers may play a key role in supporting healthy behaviors and deliver public health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an international survey that asked people about their health behaviors, and their use of technologies before and during the pandemic. Sixty percent reported using a mobile app for health purposes; 38% used a fitness tracker. People who used mobile apps and fitness trackers during the pandemic were more active than people who did not. Women were more likely to use health apps than men, and people aged 45+ were more likely to use COVID-19 apps than people under 45. Differences in app usage based on sex and age indicate that tailored technologies are needed to support different groups. Participants revealed that they had to adapt their use of mobile apps to fit their needs during the highly restricted circumstances caused by COVID-19. Altogether, our findings provide new insights into how mobile apps and devices can deliver health support remotely during a pandemic, and highlight the need for these technologies to adapt to support people’s changing needs.