Fitness Trackers Fitbit, Garmin, and Others Don’t Help You Lose Weight, Says Study

Fitness Tracker
Photo showing a wearable fitness tracker Wikimedia Commons

Wearable fitness trackers are not an effective tool for weight loss, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

The study, whose results are published in JAMA, monitored the weight loss of 470 people. Over a two-year period, they were all placed on a low-calorie diet and were encouraged to have more exercise.

After the first six months, they were divided into two groups. One group wore fitness trackers while the other group did not but went through health counseling. Their weight was checked at six-month intervals.

At the end of 24 months, the researchers found that while both groups lost weight, those who did not wear fitness trackers but only relied on self-reporting surprisingly lost more weight.

On average, those who wore fitness trackers lost 7.7 pounds, while those who did not wear fitness trackers lost 13 pounds.

Leady study author John Jakicic said the hypothesis was that those who wore fitness trackers would lose more weight, but the results of the study showed the opposite.

One of the reasons for this, he explained, is that when people see how much they exercised in a day, they would feel justified to eat more.

"These technologies are focused on physical activity, like taking steps and getting your heart rate up," John Jakicic, lead author of the study, told NPR. "People would say, 'Oh, I exercised a lot today, now I can eat more.' And they might eat more than they otherwise would have."

Jakicic said the study results showed that the effectiveness of using wearable fitness trackers is yet to be proven.

“Devices that monitor and provide feedback on physical activity may not offer an advantage over standard behavioral weight loss approaches,” the study authors concluded.

However, Jakicic clarified the device used in the study was not similar to those worn on the wrist but was worn around the upper arm. It measures heat instead of heart rate.

David Ellis, a psychologist from Lancaster University, said it’s difficult to conclude if fitness trackers are beneficial for everyone. He said most people who buy fitness trackers are those who “already lead a healthy lifestyle and want to monitor their progress.”

"In real life, obviously, most people won't get the level of support to lose weight that the people in this study did. They would have to do it on their own, so wearing a device might be better than nothing. We just don't know," he told BBC.

Fitbit, manufacturer of popular fitness trackers, said they are confident of how their devices are helping people lose weight.

"We are confident in the positive results users have seen from the Fitbit platform, including our wearable devices," Fitbit said in a statement to NPR.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.