Alcohol Use Trajectories During the First 72 Weeks of WHOOP Wearable Platform Membership: Observational Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Alcohol consumption remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Wearable devices offer novel opportunities for monitoring and influencing health behaviors.
• Understanding the impact of technology on lifestyle choices is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal effect of adopting wearable devices on self-reported alcohol consumption.
• To quantify changes in drinking probability and frequency among new wearable device users.
• To examine if these changes vary across different demographic groups.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 30,000 individuals adopting new wearable devices was followed.
• Data on self-reported alcohol consumption were collected over a 72-week period.
• Statistical analyses were performed to assess changes in the daily probability of drinking.

Main Results:

• A significant decline in self-reported alcohol consumption was observed over 72 weeks.
• The daily probability of drinking decreased by 5.8 percentage points (P<.001).
• Reductions in alcohol consumption were consistent across various age groups and biological sexes.

Conclusions:

• Adoption of wearable devices is associated with a significant reduction in alcohol consumption.
• Wearable technology may serve as a valuable tool for promoting reduced alcohol intake.
• Further research should explore the mechanisms underlying this behavioral change and its long-term sustainability.