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Research Assistant Creates Health App.

January 19, 2016
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Carly Carlin headshotIt’s that time again: the time when we pledge to drop bad habits and get in better shape—then struggle to hold onto our resolutions past February.

That’s why Carly Carlin, research assistant and community engagement coordinator in environmental health, and two of her friends created SimpleSteps, a healthy eating app. Launched in December, SimpleSteps has already been mentioned in Men’s Fitness and Thrillist as one of the best health apps for the new year.

“A lot of times, health apps have to do with calorie-counting or put you on a really crazy diet overnight,” says Carlin. “Everyone’s really excited at first, but then you find that you fall off.

“SimpleSteps is an app that helps you eat better by taking one small step at a time.”

Instead of drastic changes or rigid regimens, she says the app involves a series of “simple steps”—drinking a tall glass of water during lunch, for example—that are easy, manageable, and eventually become habits.

A social component that lets users see how their friends are faring and an encouraging, game-like feel also make SimpleSteps enjoyable and effective, says Carlin.

Most importantly, she adds, the app is evidence-based, with a reference page of 31 studies demonstrating how the recommended habits can benefit health and help users stick with a program.

“We’re hoping that as new research comes out, we can incorporate it,” Carlin says. In later versions of SimpleSteps, she says the app will promote other areas of healthy living beyond nutrition—with a similar goal of pushing resolutions beyond the month mark.

—Michelle Samuels

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