This article looks at the effects of wearables on long-term weight loss
What’s the deal?
It’s Christmas! If you’re looking to lose weight, then wearable technology like a smartwatch or tracker might be on your Christmas list, but is this the best strategy for long-term weight loss?
What did they do?
471 overweight volunteers were prescribed a weight loss intervention for 24 months, including a calorie-restricted diet, instructions for exercise, counselling sessions, text message prompts, online study materials and access to a website for self-monitoring of diet and exercise. Additionally, half of the participants were given a wearable fitness tracking device and access to an online interface.
What happened?
After 24 months, participants in both groups lost weight. Participants with access to the wearable fitness tracker lost 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) on average, whereas participants without a wearable fitness tracker lost significantly more weight, at 5.9 kg (13 lbs) on average.
What can you tell me about the people?
Participants were between 18 to 35 years old and had a BMI of 25.0 to 39.9. The overall average starting weight was 90 kg (about 200 lbs) and 71% were female.
What else should I know?
This study was conducted approximately 10 years ago. The wearable device used in this study was placed on the upper arm, rather than on the wrist. It would be interesting to see if the same results would occur with the more modern smartwatch-based fitness trackers now on offer.
What will I do differently?
I remember reading an article many years ago stating that if you wanted to run faster, then ditch the tracking device. One explanation was that tracking your every move creates a sense of dependency, which can stifle your running ability or enjoyment.… or something like that. Anyway, it seems the same might be true for weight loss!
Acknowledgements
This research was published in 2016 by JM Jakicic and colleagues from the University of Pittsburg, USA.
This article highlights our personal take on their research, but there is so much more information available! Check it out here and see what you think!
Abstract Athlete 