People should be cautious when using smartphone apps to lose weight and stay healthy, the Victorian government says.
VicHealth has launched a Healthy Living App Guide, rating more than 200 apps for their effectiveness in helping people shed weight and live a healthier lifestyle.
They say it is the first time that health apps, which are used by two in five Australians, have been independently tested on a large scale to compare quality and effectiveness.
"We rated them out of five and the best rating achieved was three," VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said.
"Besides giving people the information they need to make better decisions for their own health, we're encouraging app developers to improve their products."
The guide also includes instructions for developers to assist in designing products that are more effective for users and more likely to be favourably reviewed by health officials.
Some of the top apps were Freeletics, Get Some Headspace and Runtastic Push Ups.
But with the best only awarded three stars out of five, there is room for much improvement.
CHOICE has welcomed VicHealth's review and says it's important to question the motivations of developers.
"Downloading an app is no fast track to good health and there are common tricks and traps you should avoid," CHOICE spokesman Tom Godfrey said.
Some include so-called free apps that promote in-app purchases or junk food companies putting a healthy spin on fatty fast food experiences.
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