Wearable Electronic Monitoring Technologies: Not a Magic Solution to Weight Loss

Wearable multisensor devices can provide feedback to patients about physical activity and energy expenditure. To explore whether such technology can enhance standard behavioral weight-loss counseling in a younger patient population, researchers enrolled 471 overweight or obese young adults (age range, 18–35). Patients participated in typical diet and exercise counseling program for 6 months and then were randomized to wear a commercially available activity monitor on the upper arm (intervention) or to continue the counseling program without the wearable device (control). The wearable technology provided feedback on physical activity and energy expenditure as well as self-monitoring of dietary intake. All participants received weekly or mont…