Polar is working on a new visceral fat measurement tool. Visceral fat is stored around internal organs like the stomach and liver and has been linked to health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. However, it has historically been harder to measure, with previous methods including a CT scan or MRI.

Rumors about this new Polar technology started when a patent filing for a dual-purpose wearable strap was uncovered earlier this month. The document describes a device that could be worn around the chest or abdomen, with the ability to measure heart rate and compute “a quantity of fat tissue in the abdominal area on the basis of the received body composition measurement data”.

In a recent interview with Wareable, the company has officially confirmed that it is developing this technology. Polar representative Jari Miettinen said the company wanted to “bring a more sophisticated level of health monitoring to wearable devices”. However, they would not confirm whether or when the visceral fat measuring feature could reach a consumer wearable, stating that “this remains an active area of research, with decisions on potential commercialization to be made based on further results and strategic evaluations.”

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