In our original 2023 post, “Wearable Technology Limitations: Why They Don’t Work for Everyone,” we emphasized that manual tracking drives deeper mindfulness and more sustainable behavior change than passive, auto-synced data from wearable devices. That perspective still holds true for many of our users. Manual logging builds awareness and fosters intentionality — two critical drivers of lasting change.
But the digital wellness space is evolving quickly. And so is the research.
Recent studies from 2024 and 2025 reveal that while wearables aren’t a silver bullet, their integration with health apps may offer meaningful behavior-change support for certain users — particularly when synced data is combined with personalization, gamification, and nudging strategies.
A 2024 study with 84,000 participants found that syncing wearable data with AI-driven personalized nudges led to a 6% increase in daily step counts and an almost 8% boost in moderate to vigorous physical activity over 12 weeks. That’s a significant shift!
Another 2025 cross-sectional study reported that wearable device usage among U.S. adults has jumped to 36%, with 78% of people saying they are willing to share data with their healthcare providers — although only 26.5% had done it so far. These findings suggest that syncing data isn’t just a convenience. It’s becoming an expectation and a potential bridge to deeper health engagements especially as it relates to proactive healthcare.
Syncing wearables to health apps may also support more holistic behavior change for some. A longitudinal survey spanning 2016 to 2023 found improvements not only in physical activity but also in sleep and dietary habits among users of wearable trackers.
Innovations in health apps and wearable devices are supporting advancements in increase healthspan, not just lifespan. The World Health Organization estimates that our lifespan is increasing, with our average life expectancy as of 2019 to be 73.1 years. This has been an increase of 6 years since 2000; however, there has been decline since the pandemic. They also report our ‘healthy life expectancy’ (HALE) has not kept pace. While we are living longer, we are not necessarily living a life free of disability.
As the need to address healthy life expectancy grows, so will technology solutions. Treo Wellness is always monitoring the latest research to ensure all new features align with real change. We believe data collected both manually and passively through devices is increasing individual’s awareness of their health. So yes, wearable data and behavior change have a connection.
Knowing one’s starting point is an important early step in behavior change. Paying attention to our actions helps us spot patterns and triggers that drive our behavior. By keeping track of how we’re doing, we can figure out what works best for us and make targeted changes. It’s all about understanding ourselves and what makes us tick.
If a person begins using a journal, app or wearable device to monitor their progress, it’s important to select personally-relevant daily habits to begin to notice. Tracking every detail of the day generates way too much data to be meaningful for most individuals, so it’s not about monitoring non-stop and tracking everything, it’s about tracking only the key behaviors. Monitoring certain behaviors is central to beginning to master those behaviors, forming enduring habits that take little awareness to maintain. So as Treo Wellness evaluates the data now available through devices, our innovations team is curating how adding in wearable data may benefit users and impact real change.
At Treo Wellness, we believe in designing for intentionality. Manual tracking remains a powerful tool for creating self-awareness and meaningful change. Especially for users who want to slow down, reflect, and build habits that last.
But we also recognize that syncing wearable data can add value. Members like wearables for nudges, personalization, and gamification.
As the science evolves, so will we.
We’re continuing to explore ways to honor Treo’s philosophy of supported autonomy while making space for tools that meet people where they are. Stay tuned for our new features updates with exciting news coming soon!
Jill Woodward is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Nutrition Education Specialist. She has a Master’s in nutrition and dietetics and has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals and outpatient clinics. Jill has also worked with fortune 500 companies across the US on developing a culture of health in their corporate environments. Jill enjoys seeing people achieve their chosen health and wellness goals. Her evidence based approach helps individuals reach their goals as part of their unique lifestyle to successfully sustain their healthy habits.
© 2025 Treo Wellness.
