MyFitnessPal: An Educated Evaluation

There is no doubt that smart phones have changed the way modern society
functions. One example is the virtual disappearance of maps by the providing of
locations and directions at a drop of a hat. Smart phones allow for any question to
be answered on spot by using a search engine generated from what we know as
data. Smart phones have been critiqued and a lot of negative light is shed on them.
For instance, one might argue that they prevent the people of our society from
everyday interaction between one another. This problem stemming from the fact
that individuals now have the ability to stay glued to social networks or play games.
Amongst all the negative connotations that come along with smart phones, some
positive connotation may be on the horizon. As new game apps are created for
smart phones health enthusiast create new fitness apps as well. These fitness apps
allow for individuals to lead a healthy lifestyle more easy than ever, but as these
new fitness apps are created it leaves health professionals with the obligation to
assess them and either promote or warn patients about them. Myfitnesspal is one of
the most popular health apps on the market. Its known for its wide database and
easy to navigate page.
Myfitnesspal is a smartphone app, which was created in hopes to help
customers reach weight-loss goals and track their calorie count/physical activity.
When evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of this app the findings of a study
performed in 2004i were taken into account. This particular study aimed to identify
specific behaviors exemplified by adults that result in successful weight loss and

body weight maintenance. The study displayed that individuals who consistently
tracked daily calorie intake, meal prepped, practiced portion control and logged
day-to-day exercise were considerably more successful at losing weight and
maintaining their weight loss than those who did not. Ultimately, this study
concluded that successful attempts of weight loss and the maintenance of that
weight loss thereafter are seen when an individual monitors his/her daily workouts
and meal activity.ii According to the findings of this study, Myfitnesspal provides
users with all of the appropriate aspects of self-monitoring that lead to successful
weight loss. To begin the app asks for personal information such as sex, weight, age,
and an individuals weight loss goal. Once a person has entered their weight loss
goal the app asks at what rate they would like to shed pounds and with that
estimates the day at which the weight loss goal will be met. After one has decided
how many pounds a week he/she is determined to lose Myfitnesspal calculates a
daily calorie intake allowance. In order to follow this calorie allowance, the app
allows users to count the calories of their daily meals by scanning a products
barcode or simply searching for a specific food whether it is an item off of a
restaurants menu or purchased from their grocery store.
As meals are entered an analysis of macronutrients consumed is created. It
records and compares the percentage of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and grains
to each other. This feature allows for an individual the clearly see where his/her diet
may be uneven. The app has done an exceedingly well job at creating a process of
finding and recording food very easy. Myfitnesspal also has a tab that contains a
large list of exercises separated into two categories: cardio and strength. Within this

list you have the ability to select an exercise and list how long you have performed
it. The app will then calculate the approximate calories burned and automatically
recalculate your available calorie intake left throughout the day. A few unique
features associated with Myfitnesspal is the personal progress tracker it produces as
you continue to fill out your calorie intake and exercise levels, and the community
within the app that allows for support and encouragement.
It seems that the biggest set back about Myfitnesspal develops from one of its
selling points, and that is the enormous database that contains the nutritional
information about food items and meals. The information within the extremely large
database is a general estimate that isnt exact. The app also allows users to add
recipes, which increases the surface area of misleading or wrong information.
Because the nutritional information may be incorrect this may result in an improper
analysis of macronutrients consumed throughout the day. Calories calculated from
recorded exercises are also generalized, as some exercises do not allow for
modifications. For example a customer may select running on a treadmill but the
app does not allow for an entry to further specify if he/she did sprints or ran at an
incline.
Myfitnesspal is extremely easy to use making it an option for a wide
audience. The buttons are large and the tabs are very clear. The app also provides a
video for new users teaching them how to operate the app and use features such as
the scanner for product barcodes. Myfitnesspal reviews written by the users are
overwhelmingly positive; it would be a safe assumption to say that 9.5 out of every
10 reviews have nothing but positive feedback. Customers are not only thrilled by

the simplicity of this app but also by its success rate. Multiple customers rave about
how this app has helped them and continues to help them reach their goals. One of
the best features of this is app is how incredibly easy to use it is. In order to access
how easy the app actually is I used the KeepitUsable Chart.

1. Easy to navigate

Keep it Usable Chartiii

2. Clear and consistent

way to go back on every
screen

3. Labels and buttons

text are clear and
concise

4. Retains overall
constituency and
behavior with the
mobile platform

5. Minimalist designexcess features removed

Comments
The app provides tabs that
are easily accessible and
categorized logically. It
also provides common
symbols to navigate the
app such as an arrow
indicating to go back page
and an addition symbol to
add food to your daily
diary.
As you progress further
into the app and move on
from the homepage there
is a clear and visible back
arrow indicating how to
go back from where you
came.
Labels are easily visible as
the font is clean and
contrasts well from the
background.
The layout of the app fits
well within the screen of
the phone while still
allowing for visually
appealing spacing
between tabs and letters.
The app does a nice job of
remaining visually
appealing and
simultaneously very
simplistic. The colors do
not change but continue
with the same theme

6. Content is concise and

clear

7. Provides feedback to
the user of system status

8. Number of buttons/
links is reasonable

9. UI elements provide
visual feedback when
pressed
10. Ensure any visual
feedback is not
obscured by the users
finger

11. Colors used provide

good contrast

throughout the app and

the fonts stay crisp and
professional.
The conciseness of the
content is illustrated
throughout the entire app
as the app and the
information within it is
very short and to the
point. The tabs have short
names that illustrate the
exact information within
them and the information
for each meal is concise
and formatted clearly.
Myfitnesspal provides
feedback for the user
throughout the entire
process. As users enter
their daily meals the
application calculates the
macronutrients and
vitamins consumed. It also
provides a visual display
of the users progress and
weight loss.
Number of buttons is as
concise as possible
without losing content.
UI elements are presented
in graph that is easy to
read as well.
The only instance in which
a users finger may
obscure a visual is when
selecting the portion
consumed of the food
he/she selected. As you
move the wheel to select a
number your finger may
be in the way.
The colors are a easy blue
and crisp white that
contrast well. The other
contrasting coloring are a

12. Colors used provide

good readability

13. Icons are clear to

understand- no
ambiguity
14. Font size and
spacing ensures good
readability

15. If changes can be

made, ensure there is a
save button (gives
peace of mind)
16. Present users with a
confirmation option
when deleting

17. Allow users to tailor

frequent actions to
make them easier and
quicker to do

1/2

18. Speak the users

language (not technical)
19. Auditory feedback is
timely and appropriate

soft gray with a sharp

black that also allow for
an easy visual experience.
Both contrast allow each
letter in each word to
been seen and read
without effort.
Icons used within the app
make sense and are
widely known.
The font size is perfect
and allows for the letters
and words to be big
enough to read without a
struggle yet do not start to
collide together.
When changes are made
the user must press a
button to assure the
changes are saved.
When making the decision
to delete information off
the app a bright red
button that reads delete
appears. It makes the
action of deleting an item
very obvious, but there is
no confirmation box that
appears once the delete
button is pressed.
As users enter in their
daily exercises and meals,
the app remembers what
is frequently entered and
keeps it readily accessible
when first attempting to
put an entry in the daily
dairy instead of having to
search the same item
repeatedly.
The app does not provide
a setting in which it will
speak to the user.
Auditory feedback and
reminders can be set to go

20. Settings to turn off

auditory feedback/
sound
21.Help users recognize,
diagnose, and recover
from errors

22. Error messages are

free of technical
language
23. Error messages
clearly explain how to
correct problem
24. Any help text should
be clear and
unambiguous
25. Instruction easily
visible or easily
retrievable whenever
appropriate

off at specific times.

Auditory reminders can
be turned on or off as the
customer wishes.
In general the app does
not send out error
messages, No matter what
I entered I could not get
an error message to
appear.
Since I could not get an
error message to appear I
do not know if it lacks
technical language.
Since there was no error
message it did not help me
fix anything.
There is a clear tab
labeled help that allows
the users to ask questions
or see tutorial videos
The instructions can be
retrieved whenever
necessary and are laid out
like the rest of the app and
so are easily visible.

Kruger, J., H. M. Blanck, and C. Gillespie. "Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors among
Adults Successful at Weight Loss Maintenance." The international journal of behavioral
nutrition and physical activity 3 (2006): 17. Print.

ii

Kruger, J., H. M. Blanck, and C. Gillespie. "Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors among
Adults Successful at Weight Loss Maintenance." The international journal of behavioral
nutrition and physical activity 3 (2006): 17. Print.

iii

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