Change in Waist Circumference With Continuous Use of a Smart Belt: An Observational Study

Health insurers and policymakers are trying to prevent and reduce cardiovascular diseases due to obesity. A smart belt that monitors activity and waist circumference is a new concept for conquering obesity and may be a promising new strategy for health insurers and policymakers.

This preliminary study evaluated whether the use of a smart belt was associated with a decrease in waist circumference.

In the manufacturer's database, there were data on a total of 427 men at baseline. A total of 223, 81, and 27 users kept using the smart belt for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. Paired t tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to identify the change in waist circumference at specified time intervals (at 4, 8, and 12 weeks). In addition, a linear mixed model was used to incorporate all users' waist circumference data at each time point. Preexisting data on waist circumference and self-reported demographics were obtained from the manufacturer of the smart belt (WELT Corporation, South Korea).

Compared with baseline, the waist circumference (cm) decreased significantly at all time points: -0.270 for week 4, -0.761 for week 8, and -1.972 for week 12 (all P<.01). Although each paired t test had a different sample size because of loss to follow-up, the differences between baseline and each subsequent week increased. Equal continuous reduction in waist circumference was observed with the ANOVA and mixed model analysis (beta=-0.158 every week).

The smart belt is a newly developed, wearable device that measures real-time steps, sedentary time, and waist circumference. In this study, we showed that wearing the smart belt was associated with reducing waist circumference over 12 weeks. This direct-to-consumer smart health device may contribute toward reducing the risk of obesity and related conditions and controlling increasing health costs for health insurers.