Comparison of Fitness Trackers in Predicting Daily Step Counts in a College Population. (29th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bryant, Jessica; Morrell, Jesse
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 4(2020)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 1747
• Page End: 1747
• Publication Date: 2020-05-29
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa066_002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the agreement of popular fitness trackers used by college students, age 18–24, compared to a validated pedometer in a free-living environment. Methods: Data were collected between 2016–2019 through the College Health and Nutrition Assessment survey, an ongoing, cross-sectional study at a midsize, northeastern university. Students (n = 1034; 71% females; 51% first year) wore the Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200 Pedometer (PED) and another step tracking device of their choice for seven days. Agreement in the average steps between devices were examined via Pearson correlations and paired sample t-tests. Steps differences between PED and three common trackers were evaluated via ANCOVA using gender, semester, and year as covariates. Results: Sixty-five % (1034 of 1683) of all participants provided step data via PED and an additional tracking device. Average daily steps recorded via PED = 9490 ± 108. Of those that provided tracker data, 8.3% (n = 86) used the Apple Watch (AW), 16.4% (n = 171) used a FitBit (FB), 48.5% (n = 501) used the Health iPhone application (HiPA), and 26.8% (n = 277) used other tracking devices. All three devices were strongly correlated to the PED (AW, r = 0.92, FB, r = .84, HiPA, r = .73; all P < .001). Both AW and FB overestimated steps (4.4 and 8.2%, respectively), while the HiPA underestimated steps (6.6%) as compared to PED. Average steps did not significantly differ between students who tracked activity via AW compared to the PED (9728 ± 374 vs. 9461 ± 355, P = .07). Conclusions: Our findings show wrist-worn fitness trackers correlate well to a validated pedometer in free-living college students. Given the popularity of fitness trackers and mobile apps, these results may be important for researchers designing health interventions in the college population. Funding Sources: New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1, 010, 738.