Quest Diagnostics, a leading lab test company, has partnered with Google’s Fitbit for a pioneering study, Wearables for Metabolic Health (WEAR-ME). The collaboration aims to explore how wearable technologies, such as Fitbit devices, can contribute to improving metabolic health. By integrating Fitbit’s behavioral and biometric data with health information from Quest Diagnostics’ lab tests, the study seeks to provide valuable insights into assessing metabolic health and potentially preventing diseases associated with poor metabolic health.
Metabolic Health Markers:
Metabolic health will be assessed based on five key markers, including optimal levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood sugar levels, waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglycerides. Poor metabolic health is linked to an increased risk of various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
WEAR-ME Study Details:
Approximately 1,500 Fitbit users will be invited to participate in the three-month-long WEAR-ME study. Participants will share their data with researchers and undergo a panel of blood tests at no cost to evaluate their metabolic health. Enrollment for the study is accessible through the Google Health Studies App.
Research Insight:
Dr. Javier L. Prieto, principal investigator and senior staff research scientist at Google, highlighted the significance of wearable devices in tracking health habits. He emphasized that studies like WEAR-ME play a vital role in advancing tools to empower individuals to proactively manage their health.
Larger Trend:
The collaboration between Quest Diagnostics and Fitbit aligns with a broader trend of using wearables to study metabolic health. Past research, as noted in a study published in npj Digital Medicine, utilized continuous glucose monitoring and wearables to provide lifestyle recommendations and improve metabolic health for participants, including those with type 2 diabetes.
As wearables continue to evolve as valuable health-monitoring tools, partnerships like WEAR-ME underscore the industry’s commitment to leveraging technology for proactive healthcare management.
