Wearable Activity Tracking Device Use in an Adolescent Weight Management Clinic: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Abstract

Background. The use of physical activity tracker devices has increased within the general population. However, there is limited medical literature studying the efficacy of such devices in adolescents with obesity. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using wearable activity tracking devices as an adjunct intervention on adolescents with obesity. Methods. Randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility (attrition ≤50%) of an activity tracking intervention (ATI) and its effects on weight loss in adolescents with obesity enrolled in an adolescent weight management clinic (AWMC). Outcomes included feasibility (attrition rate) and absolute change in BMI. Differences between groups at 6, 12, and 18 weeks were examined. Results. Forty-eight participants were enrolled in the study. Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to the ATI group and 30 to control. The average age was 14.5 years. Overall, the majority of participants were Hispanic (56%). Sexes were equally distributed. The average baseline BMI was 37.5 kg/m2. At the study conclusion, the overall attrition rate was 52.1%, 44.4% in the ATI group versus 56.6% in the control group, with a differential attrition of 12.2%. The ATI and control groups each showed an absolute decrease in BMI of −0.25 and −2.77, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion. The attrition rate in our study was >50%. Participation in the AWMC by the ATI and control groups resulted in maintenance of BMI and body weight for the study duration. However, the use of an activity tracking device was not associated with greater weight loss. This trial is registered with NCT03004378.

The Effectiveness of Wearable Devices as Physical Activity Interventions for Preventing and Treating Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The characteristics of the included studies are presented in Multimedia Appendix 4 . A many as 4 studies were carried out in the United States [ 48 - 51 ], 4 in Australia [ 44 , 46 , 52 , 53 ], 1 in Finland [ 23 ], 1 in Italy [ 47 ], 1 in Germany [ 54 ], and 1 in Singapore [ 45 ]. These included studies were published between 2011 and 2021 and involved 3227 participants.…”

“…Among these 12 studies, 8 intervention targets were people of normal weight [ 23 , 44 - 46 , 50 , 52 - 54 ] and 4 were those with overweight or obesity [ 47 - 49 , 51 ]. A total of 7 studies used pedometers [ 44 - 46 , 49 , 52 - 54 ] and the other 5 used wristband activity trackers [ 23 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 ]. The most common outcome index was BMI [ 23 , 44 - 46 , 48 - 53 ], followed by BMI-Z [ 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 - 53 ], body fat [ 23 , 44 , 50 , 52 - 54 ], body weight [ 23 , 47 - 49 , 52 ], and waist circumference [ 23 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 52 ].…”

“…A total of 7 studies used pedometers [ 44 - 46 , 49 , 52 - 54 ] and the other 5 used wristband activity trackers [ 23 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 ]. The most common outcome index was BMI [ 23 , 44 - 46 , 48 - 53 ], followed by BMI-Z [ 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 - 53 ], body fat [ 23 , 44 , 50 , 52 - 54 ], body weight [ 23 , 47 - 49 , 52 ], and waist circumference [ 23 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 52 ]. There were 2 wearable device intervention groups in the same studies [ 49 , 50 ].…”

“…A total of 10 studies explored the effects of wearable devices as physical activity interventions on the BMI of children and adolescents [ 23 , 44 - 46 , 48 - 53 ]. There were statistically significant decreases in BMI between the group with wearable device interventions and the control group (MD –0.23; 95% CI –0.43 to –0.03; P =.03); heterogeneity was low and insignificant ( I 2 =2%; P =.43; Figure 2 ).…”

“…A total of 5 studies explored the effects of wearable devices as physical activity interventions on the waist circumference of children and adolescents [ 23 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 52 ]. Compared with the control group, the groups with wearable device interventions did not present statistically significant decreases in waist circumference (MD 0.55; 95% CI –0.21 to 1.32; P =.16); heterogeneity was low and insignificant ( I 2 =0%; P =.57; Figure 8 ).…”