Fitness Trackers May Not Help You Lose Weight

December 6th, 2016

Do you use a fitness tracker to count your steps and self-report your diet and exercise? While most people assume fitness trackers help people lose weight, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found just the opposite. In a surprising new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), lead author Dr. John Jakicic of Pitt’s Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center reports that research participants who wore fitness trackers lost only 7.7 pounds over 24 months, while participants who did not wear fitness trackers lost 13 pounds over the same time period. While researchers aren’t sure why participants who did not wear fitness trackers lost more weight, Dr. Jakicic theorizes that some people may meet the fitness goals as measured by the tracking device and reward themselves by eating more. Others may become discouraged when they do not meet these goals and simply give up on fitness programs.

Interested in other studies at Pitt’s Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center? Check out Dr. Renee Rogers’ fitness study aimed at people who have had bariatric surgery.