Health wearable devices are effective intervention tools/strategies for reducing body weight and BMI in individuals with overweight or obesity and chronic comorbidities, according to a review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers conducted a systematic literature review to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating health wearable-based interventions using two or more physical activity intervention arms/strategies. Based on 31 included studies, they found that for body weight reduction in individuals with overweight or obesity and chronic comorbidities, accelerometer/pedometer-only and commercial health wearable-only intervention strategies were the most effective, when compared with three other treatments and a control condition. Multicomponent accelerometer/pedometer and commercial health wearable-only intervention strategies were also the most effective for BMI reduction compared with the other four conditions. “While research-grade step counters and accelerometers aren’t available to the public, commercial wearable fitness trackers are and represent a practical option for people who are overweight/obese and who have weight-related conditions,” the researchers said in a statement.
