Electronic wearable device and physical activity among US adults: An analysis of 2019 HINTS data

Background: Promoting physical activity is one of the most critical components in strategies to improve both individual and population health. Previous studies on electronic wearable devices (EWDs) have shown modest improvements in physical activity, including daily steps and energy expenditures. Large population-based evidence on EWDs and physical activity is needed to better understand the patterns of EWD use and physical activity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2019. We calculated weighted frequencies and prevalence of EWD utilization. Wald Chi-square test was used to compare individual characteristics by EWD use, and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to examine the associations between EWD use and physical activity level while adjusting for sociodemographic/health-related characteristics.

Results: The final sample included 4219 respondents representing 212,976,500 US adults aged 18 years or older. The overall utilization of EWDs in this group was 28.2 % (95 % CI, 26.0-30.5%). Respondents who used EWDs were more likely to have 150 min/week or over physical activities compared to those who did not use EWDs in the past 12 months (OR, 1.53, 95 % CI, 1.16-2.02). When restricting the analaysis to those with chronic conditions only, EWD use was still associated with higher level of physical activity (OR, 1.74, 95 % CI, 1.02-2.98).

Conclusions: About three in ten Americans reported using EWDs in the past year. EWD use seems to be associated with achieving a higher level of physical activity. Further studies are needed to examine the effect of EWD use on other clinical measures and subsequent health outcomes.