Correlation between socio-demographic factors and adoption and use of wearable activity trackers in online American older adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Utilization of wearable technologies may help older adults maintain physical activity, which is key for reducing chronic diseases. Adoption and use of wearable technology is slowly increasing in the older adult population. This study investigated sociodemographic correlates of wearable activity tracker (WAT) use among online U.S. older adults, 65 years of age and older. Data was collected via an online survey (N = 1,252). Participants were, on average, 74 years old, female, and White. Nine percent (n = 108) reported using a WAT. Older adults aged 65–74 were 1.4 times more likely to use a WAT than those 85 and older. Education, income, and self-rated health status were positively correlated with WAT adoption. Twenty-three percent of WAT users competed against friends and family. Self-rated health was positively associated while income was negatively associated with WAT use to compete against family and friends. Longitudinal research is needed to understand factors that lead older adults to decide to use WATs, as well as barriers and facilitators to maintaining WAT use over time.