Wellness on the rise: Over 50% of UK adults embrace health tracking devices
A new survey commissioned by healthcare company Abbott reveals a striking shift in how the UK is embracing health and wellness, with over half (52%) of adults owning at least one wearable device.
The results of the survey of 2,000 adults shed light on the motivations, preferences, and outcomes of wearable technology adoption, highlighting its transformative impact on lifestyles across the country in 2024.
Wearables are changing lives – one step, heartbeat, and glucose spike at a time Wearables are no longer niche gadgets but mainstream tools for self-improvement. Among people who own wearables who responded to the survey, 52% report exercising more, 50% are sleeping better, and 33% are making more informed food choices thanks to their devices.
Step tracking remains the most popular feature (59%), but advanced functions like heart rate monitoring (37%) and sleep tracking (37%) are quickly catching up. Meanwhile, 16% of the survey respondents without diabetes are currently using a continuous glucose monitor. Those aged 25-34 lead the charge in the use of health and wellness wearable devices, with an impressive 74% adoption rate.
This demographic is particularly drawn to cutting-edge features like glucose monitoring (25%) and blood pressure tracking (29%), reflecting a growing desire for deeper insights into overall wellness.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): The next big thing in wellness The report spotlights a rising interest in CGMs. While traditionally used by people living with diabetes - 39% of respondents use CGMs to manage their diabetes - 16% of the respondents using CGMs do not have diabetes.
“The growing awareness of CGMs and use of health and wellness wearables among people without underlying health conditions demonstrates the proactive interest people have in keeping healthy,” said Dr Amy McKenzie PhD, medical and clinical director at Abbott’s Lingo business.
“Changes in the body’s glucose levels, even when they occur within the normal range, can impact our health and wellbeing – affecting our sleep2, energy3, and hunger4. Now that continuous glucose monitors are widely available, they provide people with the data to understand how food and movement are tied to their health - supporting them to develop healthier lifestyle habits.”
Among 25-34-year-olds, both with and without diabetes, CGM usage is at its highest - soaring to nearly 38% amongst our survey respondents.
Dr. McKenzie continues, “In my clinical experience, people often learned what impacted their glucose only after their health declined. But the younger generation’s adoption of CGMs underscores the growing demand for personal data about glucose and its impact on health, and this could potentially change the future public health landscape. Nearly two decades of research5 shows that wearable activity trackers significantly improved people’s physical activity, fitness, and body composition, and early research6-7 on glucose tracking shows positive effects on people’s health.”
Wearables as gifts: The ultimate self-care trend Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents have purchased a wearable as a gift, with men slightly more likely than women (34% vs. 26%) to give these devices as presents. Among the 25-34 demographic, 50% have gifted wearables - a clear signal of their popularity as the ultimate self-care item.
Regional Insights: A nation of wellness enthusiasts Health and wellness wearable adoption varies across the UK, with Wales (59%), East of England (59%), and Greater London (58%) leading the charge.
In contrast, Northern Ireland (45%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (44%) lag slightly behind.
Are wearables here to stay? According to Dr. McKenzie: “Published healthcare research coupled with this survey indicate that health and wellness wearables are growing in popularity. The awareness of CGMs and the role of glucose in overall wellbeing suggests that consumers are seeking more than step tracking or sleep monitoring from their health and wellness wearables. They are pursuing healthier lifestyles, which can only be a positive thing.”
This survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Abbott, among a sample of 2,001 National Representative general respondents. The data was collected between 06.11.2024-08.11.2024.