Many people use wearable fitness trackers such as fitness bands as part of their health insurance plan. But a recent analysis of a study published in Journal of American Medical Association found that these wearable digital devices seem to do little to help users lower their blood pressure and cholesterol or even lose weight.
Researchers reviewed 550 studies of fitness trackers, focusing on six randomized clinical trials with 1,615 participants and collecting specific health-related data.
Wearables remind people to get up and move after long periods of inactivity, but it's not enough to make a significant difference in a person's health, studies have shown. Only one study showed significant weight loss or a small decrease in blood sugar in participants who used fitness trackers, but none showed a significant reduction in cholesterol or blood pressure.
According to researchers, support and feedback from a doctor, nutritionist or trainer who can view fitness tracker data and give users personalized recommendations to improve exercise and eating habits is important. Individually, these gadgets, while useful for those who need regular workout reminders, are not very useful if someone wants to see serious results, such as weight loss or improved clinical results. (Daily Journal of Science and Technology)