Apps and Eating Disorders: A New Way to Get Help?

Eating disorders (EDs) are a serious health issue, and finding ways to help more people is a big goal for public health. One idea is to use apps to provide support and treatment. Some apps offer real-time help and messages, but do they really make a difference? And can they help people use health services better? Not much is known about this yet. A study looked at how an app helped people with EDs. The app was used with regular treatment. The findings showed that the app helped reduce visits to the emergency room. This could mean people were managing their EDs better. However, it didn't seem to change how often people saw their doctors or therapists. The app was also tested for how well it helped with ED symptoms. The results were mixed. Some people got better, but others didn't show much improvement. This could be due to many factors, like how serious the ED was or how much the person used the app. So, while apps show promise, they're not a magic solution. They can be part of a bigger treatment plan. But more research is needed to understand how apps can best help people with EDs.