Study: Fitness Trackers Don't Aid Weight Loss

In a new study, the use of wearable devices to track physical activity had no bearing on participants' weight loss beyond that of standard interventions.

Noting that it is unclear if wearable technologies specific to physical activity and diet are effective at improving weight loss, researchers sought to test the hypothesis that, compared with a standard behavioral weight-loss intervention, a technology-enhanced weight-loss intervention would result in greater weight loss.
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The investigators conducted a randomized clinical trial at the University of Pittsburgh, enrolling 471 adult participants between October 2010 and October 2012, with data collection completed by December 2014. The authors placed participants on a low-calorie diet, in addition to prescribing increases in physical activity. Patients also took part in group counseling sessions.

At 6 months, the interventions added telephone counseling sessions, text message prompts, and access to study materials on a website. Participants who had been randomly assigned to the standard intervention group initiated self-monitoring of diet and physical activity using a website, and those assigned to the enhanced intervention group were provided with a wearable device and accompanying web interface to monitor diet and physical activity. The primary outcome of weight was measured over 24 months at 6-month intervals, and the primary hypothesis tested the change in weight between 2 groups at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included body composition, fitness, physical activity, and dietary intake.

Weight change at 24 months differed significantly by intervention group, while both groups saw significant improvements in body composition, fitness, physical activity, and diet, with no significant difference between groups. Among young adults with a body mass index between 25 and less than 40 kg/m², the addition of a wearable technology device to a standard behavioral intervention resulted in less weight loss over 24 months, leading the authors to conclude that devices that monitor and provide feedback on physical activity may not offer an advantage over standard behavioral weight-loss approaches.

"Weight loss is much more complex than simply monitoring activity with a device and encouraging individuals to do more," said John M. Jakicic, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Health And Physical Activity at the University of Pittsburgh, and lead study author.

Activity trackers may provide those wearing them with "a false sense of security by showing the activity that was performed, which may result in some thinking that they can eat more than they otherwise should. So, there may be a lot of reasons that we need to better understand," Dr Jakicic said.
 
That said, "if you wear a device like this and it helps you to become more active and manage your weight better, by all means keep doing that," he said.

"However, for most who struggle with their weight, I am not sure that simply giving them an activity tracker is the solution," Dr Jakicic said. "If a physician recommends a device like this, then the physician needs to engage with the patient regarding how to best use this information to modify their health and activity behaviors to achieve their health goals. The device will not do it on its own."

—Mark McGraw

Reference:

Jakicic JM, Davis KK, Rogers RJ, et al. Effect of wearable technology combined with a lifestyle intervention on long-term weight loss: the IDEA randomized clinical trial [published online September 20, 2016]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.12858.