Food Delivery Apps and Mental Health: What Research Reveals
Key insights: 60-second read
- Frequent use of food delivery apps is linked to unhealthy eating behaviours - people who use apps more often show increased uncontrolled eating and reduced cognitive restraint.
- Having more food delivery apps on your phone is linked to higher depression scores - those with 4-6 apps had significantly higher depression scores than those with none.
- Coupons and mood influence food choices - coupons increase the desire to order food, and people are more likely to use apps when feeling sad, stressed, or even happy.
- Fatigue is the biggest trigger - nearly 65% of participants said fatigue influenced their use of food delivery apps.
Food delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Deliveroo have transformed how we eat. With a few taps on your phone, you can have restaurant food delivered to your door in under an hour. But is this convenience having a hidden impact on our health - and our minds?
An interesting study published in Frontiers in Nutrition (Ozlu Karahan et al., 2025) examined the relationship between online food delivery app use, eating behaviours, and depression in young adults. The findings reveal that these apps may be more than just convenient - they may also be shaping our eating habits and mental health in ways we may not notice.
"The digital food environment can be a determinant not only of individuals' physical health but also of their psychological health and behavioural eating habits." - Ozlu Karahan et al., 2025
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What the Study Found
Researchers surveyed 383 young adults aged 18-35 (56.7% female) about their use of online food delivery apps, their eating behaviours, and their depression levels. They looked at three key things:
- Frequency of use - infrequent (3 times per month or less), moderate (1-2 times per week), or frequent (3+ times per week)
- Number of food delivery apps on participants' phones
- Attitudes and moods associated with using the apps
Uncontrolled Eating
Frequent users scored significantly higher on uncontrolled eating than infrequent users (23.3 vs 21.2 out of 36).
Cognitive Restraint
Frequent users had lower cognitive restraint (12.7 vs 14.1 out of 24) - meaning they were less able to consciously control their food intake.
Depression
People with 4-6 food delivery apps had significantly higher depression scores (14.1) than those with none (8.8 out of 63).
Coupons and Mood
60.6% said coupons influenced their desire to order food. 40.5% used apps when happy, while 18.5% used them when stressed.
Key Findings in Plain English
More Apps, More Problems
The study found a clear link between the number of food delivery apps on your phone and your depression score. People with 4-6 apps had significantly higher depression scores than those with no apps at all. This does not mean apps cause depression - but it suggests that people who are struggling with their mental health may be more likely to rely on these apps, or that the apps themselves may contribute to poor mental health through poor diet and social isolation.
Frequent Use, Unhealthy Patterns
People who used food delivery apps more frequently showed two concerning eating patterns:
- More uncontrolled eating - they were more likely to lose control around food and eat more than intended
- Less cognitive restraint - they struggled more to consciously limit their food intake
This makes sense when you consider how these apps work. They constantly show you tempting food options, often with discounts and promotions that make it hard to resist. Over time, this may wear down your ability to make deliberate, healthy food choices.
Depression and Eating Behaviours
The study also found that depression was a significant predictor of both uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. This means that people with higher depression scores were more likely to eat in response to emotions and lose control around food. This creates a challenging cycle - depression can lead to poor eating habits, and poor eating habits can worsen mood.
The Three Eating Behaviours
The study measured three specific eating behaviours using the Three-Factor Eating Scale:
Uncontrolled Eating
This is when you lose control around food. You may eat more than you planned, struggle to stop eating once you start, or feel powerless around tempting foods. The study found that frequent users of food delivery apps scored significantly higher on this measure.
Cognitive Restraint
This is the ability to consciously limit your food intake - to say "no" to seconds, to choose a salad instead of chips, or to stop eating when you are full. Frequent users of food delivery apps had lower cognitive restraint, meaning they found it harder to maintain these deliberate controls.
Emotional Eating
This is eating in response to negative emotions - stress, sadness, anger, or boredom. The study found that depression was a significant predictor of emotional eating, suggesting that people who are struggling with their mood are more likely to turn to food for comfort.
The Depression Link
One of the most striking findings of the study is the link between food delivery apps and depression. People with more food delivery apps on their phones had significantly higher depression scores.
The researchers found that depression was also a significant predictor of both uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. This suggests that if you are struggling with depression, you may be more likely to:
- Lose control around food
- Turn to food when feeling stressed or sad
- Rely on convenient, often unhealthy food delivery options
This can create a difficult cycle: depression leads to poor eating habits, which can worsen mood, which leads to more emotional eating, and so on. The convenience of food delivery apps may make it easier to stay in this cycle without really noticing.
How Attitudes and Mood Matter
The study also looked at what drives people to use food delivery apps - and the results are revealing.
Mood Matters
- Happy (40.5%): The largest group used apps when feeling happy, suggesting food delivery is often used as a reward or treat.
- Stressed (18.5%): Many turned to apps when stressed, pointing to emotional eating patterns.
- Sad (15.1%): Sadness was also a trigger for app use, again suggesting emotional eating.
Coupons Are Powerful
60.6% of participants said that coupons offered in food delivery apps influenced their desire to eat. This is not surprising - discounts and promotions are designed to trigger impulsive behaviour. But it does mean that these apps are actively shaping what and when we eat.
Fatigue Is the Biggest Trigger
64.8% of participants said fatigue was the main reason they used food delivery apps. When you are tired, cooking feels like a chore, and ordering food is an easy solution. This suggests that food delivery apps may be replacing home-cooked meals, especially when we are running on empty.
A Physio's Perspective: Why This Matters for Pain and Recovery
From a Physiotherapist's View
As a physiotherapist, my primary focus is on helping people move better, recover from injury, and manage pain. But I have come to understand that you cannot effectively treat the body without considering the brain's influence. Mental health - including mood, stress, and depression - plays a significant role in how we experience pain, how we recover from injury, and how our bodies function overall.
This study caught my attention because it highlights a factor that many of us may not think about: the digital food environment. The link between food delivery apps and depression scores, and between depression and eating behaviours, is relevant to physiotherapy practice - and potentially pain. When someone is struggling with their mental health, it can affect their motivation to move, their ability to engage in rehabilitation, and their perception of pain. Stress and low mood are known to heighten pain sensitivity and can slow recovery.
It is also worth noting the role of fatigue. The study found that fatigue was the most common trigger for using food delivery apps. Fatigue is something I see regularly in clinical practice - people who are tired are less likely to exercise, more likely to have poor posture, and more susceptible to injury. If food delivery apps are contributing to patterns of behaviour that affect energy levels, sleep quality, or overall wellbeing, then they may be an indirect factor in the physical health of my patients.
I want to be very clear about what I am and am not saying here. I am not a nutritionist, dietitian, or mental health professional. I am not qualified to give dietary advice or to diagnose or treat depression. My interest in this research is strictly from the perspective of a physiotherapist who sees how mental health and physical health are interconnected. When we understand the factors that influence mood, stress, and behaviour - including the digital tools we use every day - we can have more informed conversations with those in pain about what might be affecting their recovery and wellbeing.
This study reinforces something I believe strongly: that health is not just about muscles and joints. It is about the whole person - including the digital environment they live in, the habits they form, and the way they feel emotionally. If we want to help people move better and feel better, we need to consider all of these factors.
Study Limitations
As with any research, there are important limitations to consider:
- Cross-sectional design: The study looked at everyone at one point in time, so we cannot say that food delivery apps cause these changes - only that there is a link.
- Young adult sample: The study focused on people aged 18-35, so the findings may not apply to older adults.
- Self-reported data: People may not always accurately recall how often they use apps or how they feel when they do.
- No causal conclusions: We cannot say for certain whether the apps are causing these changes or whether people who are already struggling are more likely to use them.
Practical Takeaways
What This Means for You
- Be mindful of how often you use food delivery apps. If you are using them multiple times a week, consider whether this is a habit or a convenience.
- Notice your mood when you order. Are you stressed, sad, or tired? If so, the order may be more about emotional coping than actual hunger.
- Limit the number of food delivery apps on your phone. The study found that having more apps was linked to higher depression scores.
- Plan meals ahead. When you are tired, having a simple meal plan can reduce the temptation to order in.
- Check your coupon habits. Discounts are designed to make you order more. Ask yourself if you really need the food, or if the coupon is just triggering a craving.
- Think about your relationship with food. If you notice that you are eating in response to emotions, it may be worth exploring other ways to manage stress - like walking, calling a friend, or practicing deep breathing.
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If struggling, speak with your Doctor or appropriate health provider.
The Bottom Line
This study reveals that online food delivery apps are not just convenient - they may also be shaping our eating habits and mental health in ways we do not always notice. Frequent use is linked to more uncontrolled eating and less cognitive restraint, while having more apps on your phone is linked to higher depression scores.
Coupons, mood, and fatigue all play a role in when and why we order food. The convenience of these apps makes it easy to slip into patterns of emotional eating and reliance on unhealthy options.
This does not mean you need to delete all food delivery apps. But it does mean that being mindful of how and why you use them - and what they might be replacing - could be an important step toward better eating habits and mental health.
Reference
Ozlu Karahan, T., Cakmakci, D., Kurtoglu, E., Kul, Z., Kidan, I. S., & Kenger, E. B. (2025). What's in your card? The impact of online food delivery apps on depression and eating behaviors. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1664724. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1664724
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food delivery apps cause depression?
The study found a link between having more food delivery apps on your phone and higher depression scores. However, the study was cross-sectional, so it cannot tell us whether the apps cause depression or whether people who are already struggling with depression are more likely to use them. Both may be true in a cycle.
Why do food delivery apps affect eating behaviours?
Food delivery apps constantly show you tempting food options, often with discounts and promotions. This constant exposure can make it harder to maintain self-control and make healthy choices. Over time, the convenience and temptation may reduce your ability to consciously limit your food intake.
Is it bad to use food delivery apps?
Not necessarily. The study highlights potential risks associated with frequent use, not a need to avoid apps entirely. Being mindful of how often you use them, noticing your mood when you order, and considering healthier alternatives can help you use these apps more intentionally.
What is emotional eating?
Emotional eating is eating in response to emotions rather than hunger - often when feeling stressed, sad, bored, or even happy. The study found that depression was a significant predictor of emotional eating, meaning people with higher depression scores were more likely to turn to food for comfort.
One key insight
"Frequent use of online food delivery apps is linked to more uncontrolled eating and less cognitive restraint, while having more apps on your phone is linked to higher depression scores. Coupons, mood, and fatigue all play a role in when and why we order food."
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