Do fitness trackers really make a difference?

Fitness trackers – so many people these days wear them. But do these digital helpers make a difference?

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association raises some serious doubt about that.

"These fitness trackers look good and they have some appeal to us, but the evidence to support the fact that they're going to help us lose weight just isn't there,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, head of the editorial board at the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, who was not involved in the study.

The researchers followed 470 overweight or obese adults for two years. The participants were given a low-calorie diet plan and instructions about exercise. They also attended weekly counseling sessions.

After six months, half the participants started monitoring their diet and physical activity using a website. The rest were given a fitness tracker.

The researchers assumed those with the trackers would lose more weight, but just the opposite happened. After two years, the group that monitored itself via the web lost an average of 13 pounds, while those with the fitness trackers loss an average of eight pounds.

Even though they got constant feedback, those with the trackers did not seem to exercise any more than those who didn't wear one.

Dr. Swartzberg says the takeaway from this study is clear: Fitness trackers only work if you use the feedback they provide to adjust your behavior accordingly.

More Info:Fitness Trackers a Flop?