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Digital fitness trackers still young but gaining traction

A new survey finds that about five percent of US households with broadband Internet have at least one digital fitness tracking device, such as a Jawbone UP, Fitbit or BodyMedia FIT Armband.

Tech blog Mobihealthnews reported on the survey, involving 10,000 broadband-enabled households and conducted by Parks Associates in March.

Top apps and services used by those surveyed included memory improvement apps, followed by apps for weight loss, diet and nutrition, and fitness.

Research from Parks Associates also predicts that more than 32 million US consumers will actively track their health and fitness online or via mobile devices by 2016.

A separate report, by Transparency Market Research, also suggests that the wearable technology sector will grow rapidly over the next five years driven by health, fitness and well-being applications. Fitness and wellbeing applications, such as pedometers, sleep and activity sensors, currently lead the consumer-facing market but by 2018, infotainment is expected to overtake the fitness and wellness segment driven by robust growth in popularity of smart watches and smart glasses, according to the report.

Access the Parks Associates' report: http://www.parksassociates.com/marketfocus/dh-1q-2013


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