TomTom study finds Brits want more guidance to help weight loss

More people in the UK are either overweight or obese than at any other time in the past three decades. With nearly two-thirds of men and women carrying excess weight, the UK is only ranked behind Iceland and Malta in Western Europe on this measure. Obesity among children and adolescents is also a growing problem. Some 26% of boys in the UK and 29% of girls are overweight or obese, compared to 17.5% and 21% in 1980.

This is despite the fact that Brits do recognise that it is not healthy to be overweight. A new study from TomTom Sports says some 83% admit they are concerned about managing their weight and around 40% weight themselves at least once a week. The study also found that the main fitness goal of 40% of Brits is to stay healthy, over a third want to lose weight and 18% want to improve their fitness level.

However, they are also looking for more guidence when it comes to managing their weight, and quickly become disillusioned with their fitness trackers. On average they reside their activity tracker to the drawer in under five months. The biggest reason is the lack of belief that activity trackers were really helping them – 21% saw no difference in their weight or fitness levels. In fact, 16% of the survey participants stated their wearable did not give them information they needed.

The research was released to coincide with the official launch of the new TomTom Touch fitness tracker. The wearable, which was unveiled at IFA in Germany, is now available at various retail outlets such as Amazon.

With so many fitness trackers on the market it is becoming increasingly more difficult to distinguish new products. Nevertheless, its been a while since we’ve seen something truly innovative. The Dutch company is trying to change this with its new device.

In addition to monitoring your activity, the TomTom Touch Fitness tracker analyzes your body composition. It is said to be able to detail your body fat and muscle percentage from the wrist, as well as count the number of calories you burn throughout the day.

Body fat and muscle percentage is something that has become a standard offering of any self-respecting smart scale. This is accomplished this by sending a low electrical current through one foot and reading the current with a sensor under the other foot. The current passes through fat more slowly and the scale calculates the amount of resistance to come up with a body fat percentage.

Essential reading: Roundup of the best smart scales on the market

TomTom uses pretty much the same technology. To get the measurement, a wearer needs to press a button with the index finger of the opposite hand to send a current through the body. We have not tested the device yet, but will be really impressed if it works as advertised.

In terms of activity, the fitness tracker captures steps, active time, calories burned, distance walked, and sleep time. There is also a heart rate sensor which will monitor your ticker at regular intervals throughout the day.

TomTom Touch fitness tracker Gadgets & Wearables may get a commission

The wearable features a slim and discreet design. Information can be displayed, and swiped through, on a touchscreen, or via the TomTom MySports app. You can also display incoming call and text notifications on your wrist.

TomTom Touch Fitness tracker is said to have a seven day battery life and is rated splash-proof.

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