Google Maps removes calorie-counting feature following criticism

Google Maps has pulled a calorie-counting feature from its iPhone application after a wave of complaints that it was dangerous or insulting.

The app showed users how many calories they could save if they walked to a location instead of driving and used mini cupcakes to put burned calories in perspective.

“This walk burns around 125 calories—that’s more than one mini cupcake!” read a screenshot from one Twitter user.

Some people interpreted the app’s feature as promoting exercise, an important goal as America is at its highest-ever rates of obesity. But Claire Mysko, the CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, told The New York Times calorie counts “can become a point of obsession” to those with eating disorders.

“For people who are hyper-focused on numbers, that can feel very oppressive to see calorie counts everywhere when you’re trying to shift your relationship with food,” she said.

Read the full story below:

""

Daniel joined TriMed’s Chicago editorial team in 2017 as a Cardiovascular Business writer. He previously worked as a writer for daily newspapers in North Dakota and Indiana.

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Philips introduced a new CT system at ECR aimed at the rapidly growing cardiac CT market, incorporating numerous AI features to optimize workflow and image quality.

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup