Delivery apps could be making you fat, researchers warn

Multi-service “super apps” like ride-hailing, food delivery, and other delivery services are contributing to increased Body Mass Index (BMI) scores, affecting people’s weight and health, researchers have found.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Time equals money.” Therefore, convenience and time-saving have become increasingly important, particularly in Western countries, where they’re valued as much as the dollar.

With the need for quick decisions and fast solutions, big tech companies have created an ecosystem of apps, which some dub “super apps,” to help people save time on the menial things that stop them from working and subsequently earning money.

These things include cooking, traveling, and shopping, which can arguably be pushed into the time-wasting category.

However, convenience may turn out to be a killer, as researchers from the University of Bonn have found that increased use of ‘super apps’ like ride-hailing, food delivery, and e-commerce delivery correlate with higher BMI scores.

Researchers found that people who are already overweight or obese may be further impacted by super apps.

The study found that the effect of online food delivery features (such as apps like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Doordash, and others) is more prominent in cities than in rural areas.

The type of person likely to be affected by super apps are individuals in employment who earn above-average incomes and have secured an education beyond primary school.

This may be due to the culture of convenience and the notion that if we waste time on tasks like shopping, preparing, and cooking healthy meals, we will miss out on the things that “truly matter” – like making money.

Furthermore, the options on delivery apps are likely to include highly calorie-dense foods containing a lot of salt and sugar.

The researchers cited previous studies that have indicated how super apps' presence is associated with less physical activity and increased promotion of highly processed and calorie-dense meals.”

With increased reliance on super apps like unhealthy food delivery services and ride-hailing apps, we’re spending more time eating high-calorie foods and moving less – just to save a few extra minutes sitting at our desks.

Super apps like Uber, which include ride-hailing and food delivery services in one place, add another layer of convenience, as users don’t have to scour the app store to find their next meal or ride.