Adjusting height to change calories burnt?

[hokelwo1]

Has anyone had any success changing their height to reduce the amount of calories burnt?

I think Fitbit is overestimating my calories when I'm at work. I work outside and I'm reasonably active at work but it just seems very high and I've been trying to lose weight. My weight hasn't dropped at all even though Fitbit thinks I have a consistent 500 calorie plus deficit.

Is this the only way to reduce all round the amount of calories it thinks I'm burning? I'm measuring calories in as accurately as physically possible (hard work when you home cook a lot!) so I'm sure that isn't the problem.

I use a pixel watch 2 btw for measuring

Moderator edit - word choice

[RiekoC]

Hello @hokelwo1 

I moved your post from the Charge 6 product help forum to the Android platform forum since you mention you use a Pixel Watch 2.

Personally, I don't track calories so I can't help with your question. Hopefully, someone else who tracks calories will chime in with suggestions.

[MarioSFitbit]

Hi @hokelwo1 ! Welcome to the Fitbit Community !
I appreciate your message concerning the calories burnt estimation. 
Could you please check this related help article ? How does my Fitbit device calculate calories burned?+
I hope this serves. 

@RiekoC I'm always grateful for all the support. 

Best wishes, 

[LZeeW]

Hi @hokelwo1   I don't think you should adjust your height to try and adjust your calorie burn.  Your PW 2 (and every current Fitbit) estimates your calorie burn by estimating your BMR calories, then adding activity calories.

• Fitbit uses the Mifflin St Jeor equation to estimate BMR calories.  Height is used in the equation, but it doesn't have a huge role in the result.  I played around with the equation and my personal stats.  Adjusting my height by 2-3 inches changed my BMR estimate by less than 1 calorie/hour.  You would have to adjust your height by a lot to see a significant change.  Fitbit uses your height to calculate your stride length for everyday steps.  You would be exchanging one error for another.
• Fitbit uses proprietary heart rate based algorithms to estimate calories.  Proprietary means secret.  There are published 'generic' equations.  None of them even include height as a parameter.  I doubt Fitbit uses height in its algorithms.
• Fitness trackers and smartwatches are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to estimating calorie burn.  This recent scientific article used a Fitbit Sense, Apple Watch 6, and a Polar Vantage v.  It says the same thing that has been written for years about fitness tracker calorie burn, "As for energy expenditure,  all 3 devices displayed poor accuracy for all 5 physical activities..."

Adjusting your height will change your BMR calories, but not by much.  I don't recommend doing it.  I'm not a big fan of Fitbit's calorie deficit food plans.