The Results Are In
Studies show that Fitbit is making an impact
on health and wellbeing.
For decades, medical research has proven that healthy lifestyle behaviors such as regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, a well-balanced diet, and stress management can have a tremendous impact on our health and longevity. Walking has been shown to reduce hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol1. A good night’s sleep helps maintain a healthy weight and improves mental health2. A healthy diet can prevent cardiovascular disease3. Lower stress levels can mean lower blood pressure4. The science is plentiful, and very encouraging: it means you can help your population take control of their health, and help reduce the healthcare costs associated with many chronic conditions.
Poor sleep is associated with significantly higher rates of healthcare utilization, adding $94.9 billion in costs each year to the US healthcare system5
The estimated global direct health expenditure on diabetes is expected to grow to $825 billion by 2030 and $845 billion by 2046
Lack of physical activity
is linked to approx. $117 billion in annual US healthcare costs7
We’re proud to say that Fitbit has played a critical role in health and wellness research, powering over 1,700 studies and interventions across a dozen focus areas. Many of these studies have demonstrated that adding the Fitbit experience, including a Fitbit tracker or smartwatch and the Fitbit app, to existing health and wellness interventions can help improve outcomes.
Select Study Type
3rd Party Studies
THE STUDY
The National Institutes of Health’s research program All of Us conducted one of the longest and largest studies of its kind to examine associations between physical activity over time and rates of chronic disease. The study included 6,000 participants who measured their activity with Fitbit devices.
THE RESULTS
25% reduced risk
of type 2 diabetes with each increase of 1,000 steps in participants’ average daily step count
44% reduced risk
of type 2 diabetes among participants who took over 10,000 steps a day
Those who maintained over 10,000 steps a day also saw reductions in obesity (-41%) depression (-33%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (-36%), high blood pressure (-25%), and sleep apnea (-46%).
THE STUDY
Researchers from the University of Minnesota performed a randomized control trial evaluating physical activity in older adults who used a Fitbit device, behavior change strategies, and an evidence-based fall-prevention protocol.8
THE RESULTS
136
more minutes of physical activity per week at 8 weeks
103
more minutes of physical activity per week at 32 weeks
THE STUDY
Rush University Medical Center analyzed the combined effect on physical activity in women aged 65+ years with cardiovascular disease who used a Fitbit device as part of their physical activity and cognitive training program.9
THE RESULTS
48%
more minutes per day of light physical activity
200%
more minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
47%
more steps per day
THE STUDY
Researchers at Brown University compared weight-loss outcomes in overweight adults over a six-month period. Participants were randomized into three groups, two of which included Fitbit devices.10
THE RESULTS
Outcomes of groups using Fitbit tools vs. those using self-monitoring tools
11 lb.
average greater weight loss
29%
more participants achieved clinically significant weight loss (≥5%)
THE STUDY
Four major weight loss studies that examined long-term weight loss in overweight and obese adults, all incorporating Fitbit as a part of recommended treatment.11
THE RESULTS
5% – 9%
average weight loss at 6 months
5% – 8%
average weight loss at 12 months
4%
average weight loss at 24 months
THE STUDY
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco conducted a non-randomized trial of overweight or obese adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. Participants used Fitbit devices, the Fitbit app, and in-person weight loss sessions.12
THE RESULTS
1.8 in.
average reduction in waist circumference
4.3 mmHg
average reduction in systolic blood pressure
2.9 mmHg
average reduction in diastolic blood pressure
THE STUDY
Researchers from the University of California San Francisco conducted a randomized control trial of post-cardiac rehabilitation patients. One group used a Fitbit device, health coaching, and a physical activity prescription. The other group followed standard care as ordered by their physician.13
THE RESULTS
Outcomes of groups using Fitbit devices vs. standard care at 12 weeks
67
more minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
13.2%
increase in VO2 (peak oxygen consumption)
Fitbit User Analysis
Here at Fitbit, we offer our users the opportunity to participate in our own research.
THE STUDY
Analysis to determine if users who engaged with Fitbit more saw improvements in their health above users who engaged less, using anonymous, aggregated consenting user data; users used Fitbit in different ways and at different frequencies.
THE RESULTS
Improved Stress Management & Better Sleep Score
These results seen through 6 x 6-minute sessions of relaxation & mindfulness activities over 5 days and 4 EDA sessions over 28 days
Lower Resting Heart Rate
This results seen through 1 EDA session, 2-minute guided breathing, listening to meditation audio
THE STUDY
Analysis to determine whether hitting the American Heart Association’s recommended physical activity target of 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic activity leads to measurable improvements in Fitbit users.
THE REsults
Those who met activity goals of 10,000 steps per day and 150 Active Zone Minutes per week for just 2 weeks saw:
20%
higher heart rate variability
4.3%
lower resting heart rate
Improved stress
management & sleep score
by 3.4% and 4.2%
AFib & The Fitbit Heart Study
THE STUDY
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm, and is associated with a 5x risk of stroke. The incidence and prevalence of AFib is on the rise, affecting 33.5 million people around the world. Wearable devices have been shown to be an effective early-detection tool, and can help reach more people who may otherwise not have access to detection.
To help reduce the impact of AFib, we launched the Fitbit Heart Study, our first large-scale, virtual study to validate the use of our wearable technology to identify episodes of irregular heart rhythm suggestive of AFib.
THE RESULTS
>455k
enrollees
98.2%
Positive Predictive Value (similar across males and females)
97%
Positive Predictive Value (for participants over 65)
“My hope is that advancing research on innovative and accessible technology, like Fitbit devices, will lead to more tools that help improve health outcomes and reduce the impact of AFib on a large scale.”
Steven Lubitz, M.D., M.P.H,
Principal investigator of the Fitbit Heart Study, cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6119598/
2https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep
3https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm
4https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure
5https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.9392
6https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32061820/
7https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf
8McMahon SK, et al. Ann Behav Med. 2017.
9Halloway S, et al. J Phys Act Health. 2021.
10Ross KM, et al. Obesity (Silver Spring).2016.
11Carels RA, et al. Eat Behav. 2017. Monroe CM, et al. Obes Sci Pract. 2019.Silberman JM, et al. PLoS ONE. 2020. Painter S, et al. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2016.