{
  "id": 9177057,
  "title": "Your smartwatch might be giving your workouts more credit than they deserve",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/your-smartwatch-might-be-giving-your-workouts-more-credit-than-they",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-22T18:15:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/smartwatch-calorie-tracking-inaccuracy-body-fat-3714192/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study has revealed that popular smartwatches, such as those from Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit, consistently overestimate the number of calories burned during exercise. The accuracy of these estimates seems to decrease as an individual's body fat percentage increases, with potential errors potentially reaching up to 100%. The researchers suggest treating these smartwatch calorie counts as mere estimates, particularly for those who use this information to manage their weight. In today's world, it's common to see people relying on their smartwatches to monitor their fitness progress. The instant gratification of seeing how many calories you've burned after a tough workout can be incredibly motivating. For those aiming to create a calorie deficit for weight loss, these numbers are crucial. However, the new study indicates that smartwatches may not always provide reliable data, especially for individuals with higher body fat percentages. While smartwatches have become a go-to tool for health and fitness due to their convenience, this study suggests that users should approach their calorie burn readings with caution.",
  "summary": "Your body fat percentage could be throwing off your smartwatch's calorie counter.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}