For millions, fitness trackers promise insight and motivation. But for people with obesity, these devices too often deliver disappointment—until now. A groundbreaking new algorithm is set to change how we count every step, push, and calorie, offering fairness and accuracy where it’s been missing most.
Key Points at a Glance
- Most fitness trackers miscalculate calorie burn for people with obesity due to differences in gait and body type.
- Northwestern University scientists created an open-source, highly accurate algorithm tailored for wrist-worn devices.
- The technology will soon power a new activity-monitoring app for iOS and Android, making accurate tracking more accessible.
- This breakthrough could transform how gyms, trainers, and individuals measure and celebrate real progress.
Fitness technology has become a staple for millions trying to live healthier lives. The promise is clear: track your activity, learn about your habits, and unlock new motivation. But for those living with obesity, the reality has often felt unfair. Instead of empowering, fitness trackers can misread their movements, undercount their hard work, and leave them feeling unseen.
That’s about to change, thanks to a revolutionary algorithm developed by researchers at Northwestern University. Led by Nabil Alshurafa and the HABits Lab, the new dominant-wrist algorithm brings unprecedented accuracy to fitness tracking for people with obesity. Unlike previous models—built on data from people without obesity—this new approach is finely tuned to the gait, energy burn, and movement patterns of those with higher body weight.
The research was inspired by real-life frustration. After watching his mother-in-law work harder than anyone else in an exercise class, only to see her efforts barely register on a fitness tracker’s leaderboard, Alshurafa knew something had to change. His team set out to build an algorithm that not only meets rigorous scientific standards but also restores fairness and recognition to those who need it most.
The results, published in Nature Scientific Reports, speak volumes. The algorithm was tested in real-world scenarios with participants wearing both fitness trackers and gold-standard metabolic carts—devices that measure actual oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output. The new algorithm achieved over 95% accuracy, rivaling the industry’s best methods and providing reliable, minute-by-minute data.
But the impact isn’t just about numbers. For the first time, people with obesity can see their real energy burn and activity reflected, opening the door for more personalized fitness advice and health interventions. It’s a leap toward inclusive fitness technology—where no one’s effort is ignored, and every achievement counts.
The breakthrough comes with a promise for the future. Later this year, Northwestern’s team will launch an app for both iOS and Android, bringing this inclusive technology to wrists everywhere. The algorithm is open-source, meaning researchers worldwide can build on it, improve it, and ensure even more lives benefit.
Alshurafa’s story—watching participants crush wall push-ups when standard exercises failed, and realizing gyms and trackers must evolve—sums up the spirit of the work. Fitness shouldn’t be a trap. Thanks to this breakthrough, it can become a tool for empowerment, progress, and better health for everyone.
This research was supported by major U.S. health and science agencies, including the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health.
Source: Northwestern University
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