Fitbit, Quest partner to study metabolic health using wearable data

Quest Diagnostics is teaming up with Google's Fitbit for a pilot study named Wearables for Metabolic Health (WEAR-ME) to explore the potential of wearable technologies in improving metabolic health. The study will merge Fitbit's behavioural and biometric data with health information from Quest Diagnostics' lab tests to assess metabolic health and potentially prevent diseases. 

Metabolic health, measured by markers like HDL cholesterol, blood sugar levels, waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglycerides, plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. The three-month-long study will involve around 1,500 Fitbit users who will share their data with researchers and undergo free blood tests to evaluate their metabolic health. The initiative aims to empower individuals in understanding and proactively managing their health habits.

This collaboration reflects a broader trend of utilising wearables to study metabolic health. Past research has shown promising outcomes, such as a study published in npj Digital Medicine where continuous glucose monitoring and wearables were combined to offer lifestyle recommendations. Participants, both nondiabetic and those with type 2 diabetes, tracked food intake, body weight, and physical activity through a smartphone app that integrated wearable data. The findings suggested that access to such data empowered individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices, contributing to improved metabolic health.

Dr. Javier L. Prieto, the principal investigator and senior staff research scientist at Google, emphasised the importance of wearables in tracking healthy habits and their role in ongoing research. The goal is to build better tools that advance the collective aim of enhancing overall health, giving individuals the means to stay informed and proactive about their well-being.