Survey: 55% of mobile health app users plan to buy wearable health-tracking devices

BOSTON — A new study released Thursday by mobile engagement provider Mobiquity has found that while 70% of people use mobile apps on a daily basis to track calorie intake and monitor physical activities, only 40% share data and insights with their doctors. And as many as 55% of today's mobile health app users also plan to introduce wearable devices like pedometers, wristbands and smartwatches to their health monitoring in coming years.

Working with an independent research firm, Mobiquity's "Get Mobile, Get Healthy: the Appification of Health & Fitness" study reveals the opportunity for healthcare professionals and organizations to leverage mobile to drive positive behavior change and healthier patient outcomes. As many as 34% of mobile health and fitness app users said they would increase their use of apps if their doctors actively recommended it. 

"Our study shows there's a huge opportunity for medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies and health organizations to use mobile to drive positive behavior change and, as a result, better patient outcomes," stated Scott Snyder, president and chief strategy officer at Mobiquity. "The gap will be closed by those who design mobile health solutions that are indispensable and laser-focused on users' goals, and that carefully balance data collection with user control and privacy."

According to Mobiquity's research, 73% of people claim to be healthier by using a smartphone and apps to track their health and fitness. Approximately 53% discovered they were eating more calories than they realized. And 63% intend to continue, even increase, their mobile health tracking in the next five years. 

For many, using a smartphone to track their health and fitness is more important to them than using their phone for social networking (69%), mobile shopping (68%), listening to music (60%) and making/receiving phone calls (30%).

Mobiquity commissioned independent research firm Research Now to survey 1,000 consumers who use, or plan to use, health and fitness mobile apps. The study was conducted between March 5-11, 2014.