Smartphones may help people make better health choices

New York: Smartphone apps and wearable sensors can help people make healthier lifestyle choices, an American Heart Association (AHA) statement said. "If a mobile health technology, such as a smartphone app for self-monitoring diet, weight or physical activity, is helping you improve your behaviour, and then stick with it," said lead author of the AHA statement, professor Lora E. Burke from University of Pittsburgh. The AHA reviewed a small body of published, peer-reviewed studies about the effectiveness of mobile health technologies (mHealth) for managing weight, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.