Digital Health Tools Shown To Boost Children’s Physical Activity And Diet

University of South Australia researchers analyzed data from over 133,000 children and teens under 18 and discovered digital health tools can improve young people’s wellness habits. The study found kids using health apps, fitness trackers and online programs got 10 to 20 extra minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily and ate more fruits and vegetables while consuming fewer high-fat foods. Mobile apps showed the strongest impact on diet and weight, while wearable devices best reduced sitting time by 20 to 25 minutes per day. Lead researcher Ben Singh noted that “digital health tools and apps can significantly improve children’s physical activity, diet and weight outcomes, putting them on a better health trajectory for life.” The research comes as WHO estimates 80% of teenagers aren’t active enough and 390 million children ages 5-19 are overweight. (Story URL)