However, convincing consumers to share that data willingly could prove to be a huge potential stumbling block.

Research published this week by Parks Associates finds that the greater the amount of data a device collects, the less willing a user would be to share it in return for a health insurance discount.

For example, 42 per cent of pedometer owners would be willing to share data, but that drops to 26 per cent for those who use a sleep quality monitor. What's more, 35 per cent of US broadband homes said that they are "very concerned" about their personal health information remaining confidential.

From the article "Health wearables could revolutionise lives if consumer data remains confidential."