
Overhyped Activity Trackers and Diabetes Mobile Apps?
Thanks to our correspondent Dan Fleshler in New York, who continues his 'Media Matters' column here at the 'Mine with a different perspective on the many mobile health devices out there...
The diabetes community is deluged with news stories proclaiming that mobile health technology will change our lives. Some news is genuinely exciting, like recent reports that a “smartband” on the Apple Watch could display data from Dexcom continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
But some breathless headlines about “activity trackers” worn on the wrist focus on a more dubious claim: they will help you lose weight. In fact, steadily accumulating research shows you’re likely to be disappointed if you expect a mobile health device to help you take off pounds.
These devices -- which track steps taken, calories burned, hours of sleep and other health indicators -- have been overhyped when it comes to weight loss, an important goal for many people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What’s more, when used by themselves, the apps’ impact on diabetes management appears to be very small, although they do show great promise when linked to CGMs (more on that later).
And while they certainly provide some overall health benefits when used properly -- as noted here -- they also might have downsides.
Disappointing News on Wearables and Weight Loss
Stanford researchers recently showed that while 7 different wearable health devices accurately measured people's heart rates, they didn't effectively measure the calories burned by users.
Another study, called TRIPPA, showed while the apps increased
Continue
reading