"Wearables are a low cost, convenient tool for boosting your daily activity and achieving additional weight loss, fitness trackers not only encourage exercise and weight loss, but may also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol in people with Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions," said Kennedy.
A publication by Harvard Medical School indicates that fitness trackers can help overweight or obese people to reduce their weight and body mass index over time, based on a review of 31 studies, involving more than 2,200 people. Participants were required to wear a fitness tracker then set and meet goals with it for step counting or daily activity. Compared to control groups not using a fitness tracker, those using commercially available brands like the Fitbit lost an average 6 pounds and two BMI points over 12 weeks.
"Accountability is much higher when using a fitness tracker as you get the sense personal motivation or if you’re in a group challenge with your friends," added Kennedy.