Can your phone app really track your calories? study puts apps to the test
NCT ID NCT05906160
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study checked if the PortionSize and MyFitnessPal apps accurately measure calorie intake in everyday life. 63 adults used each app for separate periods, and researchers compared the results to a highly accurate method called doubly labeled water. The goal was to see if these apps can reliably track what people eat outside of a lab.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If the apps prove accurate, they could become reliable tools for tracking diet without needing expensive lab tests.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study (63 people) testing accuracy, not a treatment. Results may not apply to everyone, and app accuracy can vary with user behavior.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808, United States