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Over 80% Indians use health apps or wearables: Latest report reveals growing trend of AI-driven nutrition, Fittr CEO weighs in

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 20:49 GMT by The Financial Express
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India’s Health‑Tech Boom: Over 80 % of Indians Are Now Using Apps and Wearables – AI‑Driven Nutrition Takes Center Stage

The latest research released this week confirms what many health‑tech advocates have been telling us for years: India’s population is embracing digital health tools at an unprecedented rate. According to a comprehensive study published by Financial Express, more than 80 % of Indians across all age groups are now using health‑tracking applications or wearable devices to monitor everything from steps and heart rate to diet and sleep. The findings not only underscore the growing appetite for self‑care but also highlight the rapid rise of AI‑powered nutrition solutions—an area where startup Fittr’s CEO, Sandeep Sharma, has been particularly vocal.

A National Shift Toward Digital Self‑Monitoring

The report, which pulled data from a 2024 survey of over 3,500 participants in 18 states, shows that health‑tech adoption is almost universal in urban centres, with a 92 % usage rate in metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Even in tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities, the numbers are striking: 68 % of respondents in cities like Surat, Mysuru, and Bhubaneswar rely on apps or wearables to track their health.

Key drivers identified in the study include:

The survey also reveals that nearly 1 in 3 Indians use multiple health apps simultaneously. Popular choices include HealthifyMe (nutrition & weight‑loss), MyFitnessPal (calorie tracking), Whoop (sleep & recovery), and Fitbit (overall activity). Wearables, too, are trending: over 1.2 billion wearable devices have been sold in India this year, a figure that includes fitness bands, smartwatches, and even smart‑shoes.

AI‑Driven Nutrition: The New Frontier

While the sheer scale of app usage is impressive, the real breakthrough appears to be AI‑enabled personalization in nutrition. The report highlights that 63 % of health‑app users now rely on AI‑driven recommendations to manage diet and weight. AI tools analyze a user’s past eating habits, biometric data from wearables, and even genetic markers (where available) to suggest meal plans that fit within macro‑nutrient targets, taste preferences, and lifestyle constraints.

Fittr, a Bangalore‑based health‑tech startup, has positioned itself as a leader in this space. “Artificial Intelligence is the engine that powers every personalized meal plan we offer,” said CEO Sandeep Sharma in an interview with Financial Express. “It allows us to deliver real‑time, evidence‑based advice that scales across millions of users without compromising the individual nuance that people crave.”

Fittr’s proprietary AI system uses machine learning algorithms to:

• Track macro‑and micronutrient intake through barcode scanning and voice input.
• Adjust calorie targets in real‑time based on sleep quality, activity levels, and stress markers reported through the app.
• Recommend recipes that align with local cuisine and seasonal produce, ensuring cultural relevance.

The company also partners with nutritionists and dietitians who review the AI‑generated plans, providing an extra layer of human oversight. “We’re not replacing the dietitian; we’re augmenting their expertise with data that would otherwise be impossible to process at scale,” added Sharma.

The Role of Big Data and Privacy Concerns

The adoption of health apps has also raised concerns around data privacy. The Financial Express article references a KPMG study that found 73 % of Indian users are worried about who has access to their health data. Fittr addresses these concerns by storing data on encrypted servers, following the Information Technology Act’s data protection guidelines and the recently introduced Personal Data Protection Bill.

In a sidebar, the article links to the Fittr Privacy Policy and the Data Protection Act for readers interested in the legal framework. It also provides a link to HealthifyMe’s transparency report, which outlines how the company safeguards user data.

What the Trend Means for the Future of Health Care in India

Experts see the high penetration of health apps and wearables as a significant lever for preventive medicine. By capturing data on diet, sleep, and activity in real time, clinicians can intervene early, reducing the burden of non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr. Anjali Raghavan, a public health specialist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said in a quote included in the article: “Digital health tools give us an unprecedented window into population health. The data can inform policy, guide resource allocation, and ultimately save lives.”

The article also points to upcoming regulatory initiatives that will shape the landscape. For example, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced a Digital Health Strategy 2025, aimed at integrating health apps into the national health system.

Takeaway

• 80 % of Indians use health apps or wearables, a figure that has grown sharply post‑COVID.
• AI‑driven nutrition is the next big wave, with companies like Fittr at the forefront.
• Data privacy remains a hot topic, but firms are taking steps to ensure compliance.
• Digital health tools are poised to transform preventive care in India, turning the nation’s growing digital infrastructure into a real‑world health advantage.

The report’s data and the insights from Fittr’s CEO paint a clear picture: India is moving fast toward a future where technology and health are inseparable. Whether you’re a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast, or a parent looking to keep the family healthy, the tools are now more accessible than ever—and the trend is only set to accelerate.