The Drs: Fat Shaming App
The Doctors talked about an app that is designed to “shame you into being skinny.” There’s a new weight loss app that The Doctors say has taken calorie counting to a whole new level of mean. Carrot Hunger uses name calling and threats of social media disgrace to encourage your slimdown.
The Doctors discussed whether a fat shaming app could productively help people lose weight or just make them feel bad about themselves. (Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com)
Dr Travis Stork said the app wouldn’t work for him and Dr Rachael Ross said she would end up smashing her phone. Dr Stork shared that a study came out that said shaming can be counterproductive when it comes to reaching your fitness goals.
The Drs: Carrot Hunger App Teases People Into Weight Loss
They were joined via Polycom by the creator of the Carrot Hunger app, Brian. Brian said the idea started with his mom and explained that the teasing is light-hearted and more humorous than anything else. Brian said that the threats of posting something on social media has been a great motivator for some people.
Dr Jennifer Ashton said she’s intrigued because there have been a lot of studies in psychology done on a principle called harm reduction, which is where you’re trying to remove or minimize a bad behavior and you do it in certain ways. She said her intrigue with this practice is wondering which is more effective: saying please do this, or don’t do this.
The Drs: Mean App For Weight Loss
Brian said the response has been overwhelmingly positive. He said they have a sarcastic sense of humor in his family, so they all think it’s great. Dr Ordon said eating disorders have a psychological component, so this app could lead to eating disorders. It just depends on the person and whether it would work for them.
Dr Stork said there’s a difference between people who are just looking to lose 10-20 pounds and those who are morbidly obese. He said apps like this may be more effective for those trying to lose a little weight, whereas a more positive, medical approach is more likely to work with someone in a truly dire medical state.
The Doctors asked their Twitter followers if a fat-shaming app would help them stick to their diet and 59% said no, while 41% said yes.
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