Thoughts on the Value of Your Fitbit...by someone who does not own one.

With the first week of classes behind us, it is a good time to evauluate my sleep habits especially in light of the Fitbit article, which discusses the ability of such devices to not only monitor excercise (in accordance with its more common use) but other things like sleep patterns.  The article here noted is written by Lisa Meltzer; and it highlights the need for sleep monitoring devices, specifically for evaluating children -- who are not typically able to record their own sleep patterns accurately or consistently via journal-like measures or questionnaires.  Devices like Fitbits, which claim to monitor sleep, among other physiological acitivty (i.e. movement), are called acceleromters.  The fitbit costs roughly $100.  The study included 63 participants, ages 3-17 (mean of 9.7), and it took place at at the Children's of Alabama youth sleep laboratory.  Its aim was to validate Fitbit claims that the device can accurately monitor one's sleep-wake cycle.  Because of issues encountered with the devices used, only 49 of the 63 participant's data was used.  The Fitbit Ultra was found to underestimate sleep efficiency by about 20%, not a comforting outcome for a pricy and theoretically reliable device.  Still, in other cases, the Fitbit actually overestimated TST (total sleep time) and efficiency.

The study found that while the Fitbit and other devices are quality devices for for their aim, they are perhaps not the best sleep efficiency measurement tool (namely for youth populations).  It should also be noted that one should not simply use a Fitbit to measure  and monitor his/her sleep health.  I personally do not have a Fitbit or other device so it may be a little difficult for me to fully appreciate all that was mentioned in the article about them -- good or bad -- but I woubenld like to purchase a device like it though to keep track of more aspects of my own health.  Since I do not have a device like it, or something remotely similar on my Smartphone, I simply use a mental clock of my circadian rythm to track my sleep health.  With that, I offer limited confience in self-reporting because my sleep is still fluctuating as I settle into a daily routine at school.  It is my opinion that the commerical availability of devices like Fitbits, or other similar devices for consumers, is inheretnly a "good thing."  A tool to aid in health monitoring is something that American society really benefits from.  However, I think the availability of Fitbits is only one small step toward greater progress.  While monitoring one's steps everyday or getting in bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning are healthful habits: only walking will not get you een 5k-ready, and gettig on your phone before bed, even at 10 pm, detrimentally affects your sleep time and quality.  Therefore, I welcome more research comparing the connecitons between Fitbit owners and what their habits are -- are the Fitbits actually helping them live healthier (and of course sleep better)?