Don't know your Fuelband from your Fitbit? Wellocracy can help
If you're having trouble navigating the sea of fitness trackers and mobile apps on the market, a new website launched on Thursday wants to lend a helping hand.
Boston-based Center for Connected Health launched online health social community Wellocracy.com, with an aim toward helping consumers understand the fast-growing health technology market, make informed choices on fitness trackers and apps, as well as offer quizzes to discover which types of fitness motivation works best for you.
"There are dozens of activity and health trackers on the market today, and literally thousands of health apps available for consumers," said Dr. Joseph Kvedar, founder and director of the Center for Connected Health. "Yet, instead of getting people moving towards a healthy lifestyle, most feel paralyzed by all these choices and the technology can be dizzying."
"Wellocracy is focused on inspiring and empowering individuals to self-manage their health and wellness by providing up-to-date information, expert guidance, and innovative ideas to help people get the most out of personal health technologies," he added.
The website also plans to include special features, such as a project for brides-to-be called "Say ‘Yes' to the Tracker."
Along with the launch of the website, Wellocracy revealed findings from a study of 2,014 US adults, conducted by Harris Interactive, on the use of activity trackers, mobile apps, and other tools to monitor health and wellness. Results showed that 48 percent said it is hard to stay motivated to live a healthy life, and 22 percent were confident they could keep track of their own health. To help achieve their health and fitness goals, 68 percent said that they lean on family and friends for encouragement, while 65 percent said that using a health tracking device, website, or app would be beneficial.
