Martin Galindo

Final Research Paper

Success in Smartphone Apps for Young Adults

In todays society, obesity is a reality. Especially in states such as Arizona where in the
summer time, temperatures stay above 100 degrees and there is not a single soul that would
desire to stand out under the blazing sun. Opposed to a place like New York City, where people
walk from point A to point B because it is the best means for transportation and therefore they
are in better physical shape. During Arizonas summer, it is difficult for young adults, let alone
the entire population, to have the motivation to stay fit because it is so hot outside, and the heat
tends to make people lazier than usual because all they want to do is stay inside in an air
conditioned atmosphere. So what can obese people resort to for motivation for weight loss? As
the saying goes, there is an app for that!
Today, according to the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of Americans own a
smartphone. 1 Therefore it is not difficult for young adults to access an app. This is a good start
to the overweight fiasco as the research described in this paper will prove why weight loss and
weight-controlling smartphone apps are efficient for young adults. Moreover, according to
Catherine Clifford (millennials) check their phone 43 times a day on average 2 so the young
adults who do not want to become overweight may benefit from using weight-controlling
smartphone apps. Research conducted by Gemma Flores Mateo, et al. proves that weightcontrolling apps work. Their conclusion states evidence from this study shows that mobile

phone app-based interventions may be useful tools for weight loss. 3 This belief can benefit
young adults who are obese, or on the verge of becoming overweight, tremendously.
According to the Pew Research Center, for adults ages 18-29, 89% of them use social
networking sites. 4 After listening to lectures from various professors in a few of my college
courses and people from the generation before millennials, Ive learned that people are on the
edge about social media. Either they believe it is healthy or it is not. Ive also learned that
millennials have a certain level of a negative reputation regarding social media and the rate at
which they use their phones. The message they tend to convey is that it is not useful. The
question that can be asked towards those believers is what if smartphone apps could be use
productively? Will they go with the trend and utilize online and social media for the benefits that
it has to offer or will they forget they ever doubted its benefits? That question is to be discovered.
In the case of weight-control amongst young adults using apps or social media, it is
healthy to use. According to a research study conducted by Jingwen Zhang, social influence
from anonymous online peers was more successful than promotional messages for improving
physical activity. 5 After reading this study I decided to ask a few anonymous friends of mine if
they would ever seek weight loss through social media and 9 out of 11 of my friends said they
would. Some stated that they already use social media to lose or maintain their weight by looking
at other peoples pages to see their results. They explained how it can be used as a form of
motivation to get up and put their body to work. Others said if they needed to, they wouldnt
have a problem seeking advice or work out regimens through social media. Lastly, one friend
said that he would go as far as posting his results through Facebook to motivate others. Earlier
this week a man named Rob Kardashian was in an article because he lost weight and that is the
kind of spiral effect that could be positive for young adults. If they stay away from posting such

negativity and utilize social media as a positive platform, we could live in a world overpowered
by positivity.
According to Anming Li, et al, body weight management through social networking is
more effective than conventional means because it is highly conducive to connect people based
on shared interests and goals, which could be free of geographical limitations. 6 As described,
social media can play a huge factor in the weight-maintenance of young adults lives. Because
young adults are online often, they should utilize its benefits and increase the morale in peoples
everyday lives. Of course, this also pertains to overweight individuals and how they have the
platform through social media to incorporate these benefits. Facebook has 1.49 billion active
users in one month so people may be able to spread positivity about their healthy lifestyle to give
others motivation. On the other hand, if in need of motivation, looking to an expert in the field of
exercise and seeking out his or her tips and thoughts through social media may also be
beneficial. According to C. Lee Ventola, when used wisely and prudently, social media sites and
platforms offer the potential to promote individual and public health, as well as professional
development and advancement. 7 Of course, the keywords are when used wisely because if
used otherwise there is potential for opposite effects. Expert advice, for example registered
dieticians, is available through social media platforms for people to benefit from it. Especially
young adults who utilize social media more frequently.
Young adults between the ages of 17-25 years, were involved in a group study examining
a relationship between technology and weight loss conducted by Janna Stephens et al. Five
themes were assessed during this study and there were several key messages related to the
specifics of weight loss noted in this study and the main message is young adults are excited to
use applications to help them lose weight. 8 Additionally young adults expressed in the study,

this is a frequent problem among their peers, which they attribute to newfound independence. In
conclusion, there are many factors that go into losing weight for young adults. One of the five
themes noted in the study by Janna Stephens et al. gives the idea of personalizing the message to
each individual or the message may be ignored. This is understandable because it is human
nature to feed off of positive energy from others when they express the progress they see. It is the
concept of a physical trainer. They are paid to get people fitness results as well as positive
feedback and encouragement. Moreover, these apps could receive bad reviews if they made the
same repetitive messages which enables a person to feel like the feedback is not personal. In this
same study by Janna Stephens, one person (name not given) stated, I think it (an encouraging
comment) would be good, as long as it wasnt generic, because if it was generic, I would
probably not pay attention to it. 8 And another person (name not given) stated, I would want
them to be pretty personal. Like if you saw that I was not doing something, then the message
would be encouraging to what I was not doing, or something like that. 8
Additionally, research discovered by Carter et al. states, obesity is a major public health
issue and research is turning to information communication technologies as a means to deliver
weight management interventions. 9 They go into detail about a certain app (My Meal Mate)
and explain how it is very helpful because it helps people by setting an energy target which is
followed by the user inputting different foods and drinks that are consumed. In sum, their
research proves that this app actually works and is feasible for young adults to not only lose
weight but maintain weight too.
Young adults have the potential to control or lose their weight if they take advantage of
the many opportunities that technology, in particular smartphone apps, offer. Each person has

their own preferences on what apps work for them and the different designs that are more
appealing as well as if the app makes the messages personal or not. Young adults should take the
initiative and join this movement of technology and make it a point to better their lifestyle and do
others a favor and express to them the improvements that are made. Whether it is by words or by
actions.
In conclusion, young adults will benefit themselves by using smartphone weight loss or
weight controlling apps. There are various options of the type of smartphone app to use such as
Facebook, where users can post their results online to motivate others, seek professional advice
by following the appropriate page, or by simply viewing other peoples results which can serve
as a motivational factor. Another option is My Meal Mate or apps alike because they serve as a
platform for users to have a step-by-step process in what it takes to become healthier.

References
Aaron S. U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015. Pew Research Center Web site.
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/. Published April 1, 2015.
Accessed December 8, 2015.

Catherine C. Millennials Check Their Phones 43 Times a Day. This Is What Theyre Looking For
(infographic). Entrepreneur Web site. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234531. Published
Jun 4, 2014. Accessed December 8, 2015.

Gemma FM, Esther GF, Carme FG, Xavier MC. Mobile Phone Apps to Promote Weight Loss
and Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Publications.
2015. Vol 17 No 11.

Social Media Use by Age Group Over Time. Pew Research Center Web site.
http://www.pewinternet.org/data-trend/social-media/social-media-use-by-age-group/. Published
2015. Accessed December 8, 2015.

Jingwen Z, Devon B, Sijia Y, Damon C. Efficacy and casual mechanism of an online social
media intervention to increase physical activity: Results of a randomized controlled trial. US
National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 2014. Vol 39(7):491-499.

Anming L, Eric WTN, Junyi C. Friend Recommendation for Healthy Weight in Social
Networks: A Novel Approach to Weight Loss. Industrial Management & Data Systems. 2015.
Vol. 115 Iss: 7:1251-1268

Ventola CL. Social Media and Health Care Professionals: Benefits, Risk, and Best Practices. US
National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 2014. Vol 39(7):491-499.

Janna S, Gyasi MJ, Jerilyn K. Young Adults, Technology, and Weight Loss: A Focus Group
Study. Journal of Obesity. 2015. Vol. 2015, Article ID 379769.

Carter MC, Burley VJ, Cade JE. Development of My Meal Mate A smartphone intervention
for weight loss. Nutrition Bulletin. 2013. Vol. 38 Iss. 1: 80-84. Doi: 10.1111/nbu.12016.