Weight loss management system

Abstract

A weight loss management system utilizes a computer analysis of a participant's past medical history, eating habits, body measurements, exercise level and taste preferences to provide a menu of a specified number of calories to maintain a reasonable weight. The system provides consultation with a dietition in order for a participant to recognize the deficiencies in the past diet. The system further provides consultation to effect behavior modification of the participant by offering instruction in nutrition, exercise and proper cooking techniques.

Patent number: 4951197
Filing date: Feb 10, 1989
Issue date: Aug 21, 1990
Inventor: Gilbert Mellinger
Assignee: AMC of America
Primary Examiner: Gail O. Hayes



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1. A method of individualized weight management comprising:

(a) obtaining a medical history of a subject and determining the existence of any physiological abnormalities;

(b) obtaining a present physical profile of said subject said profile including data as to sex, physical measurements for determining frame size such as bone or wrist measurements, weight and height of said subject;

(c) obtaining specific information of recent food items caused by said subject and recent level of physical activity in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day;

(d) entering data obtained from steps (a)-(c) into a computer for comparison with predetermined standards of food consumption given a specified sex, frame size, weight, height and said recent level of physical activity in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day in relation to an ideal weight;

(e) obtaining a computer analysis of the comparison of the results of step (d) with the caloric and nutritional requirements for said subject at said ideal weight at said recent level of physical activity and employing said computer to calculate the deviation of the current eating habits from said requirements for said subject;

(f) computing with said computer to determine whether a subject should be placed on an intermediate diet plan having a target weight above an ideal target weight by utilizing the formula:

(A.times.C)-(B.times.C)=D

wherein

A represents the actual current weight of the subject in pounds or kilograms;

B represents the ideal weight in the same unit of measure as A and as determined by said compute analysis;

C represents said activity level of said subject in terms of the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day in which said activity level is represented by the values of 11 calories per pound for sedentary activity; the value of 13 calories per pound for light activity; the value of 15 calories per pound for moderate activity and the value of 20 calories per pound for vigorous physical activity;

D is a calculated number which if greater than 1,000 calories indicates said subject should be placed on a diet in which said target weight should be initially set above said ideal target weight;

(g) providing said subject with information as to a weight control program in which the eating habits are modified by selectively placing the caloric and nutritional intake at a targeted weight substantially at or above the value corresponding to said ideal weight;

(h) providing said subject with behavior modification instruction to alternatives to past food consumption wherein said behavior modification is selected from the group consisting of cooking, eating, exercise, nutrition or a combination thereof;

(i) providing said subject with periodic goals for achieving said behavior modification;

(j) providing periodic consulation with said subject and review to ascertain the attainment of goals resulting from step (i) and providing additional goals; and (k) following up said consulation and review with periodic computer analysis of said ideal with additional data gathered including the changes in weight and food consumption of said subjects in relation to said predetermined standards.

2. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining said medical history includes historical information as to blood pressure, heart anomalities, chronic diseases and pregnancy.

3. The method of individualized weight measurement of claim 2 wherein said step of obtaining said physical profile and said physical measurements for determining frame size comprises the measurement of the circumference of the wrist of said subject.

4. The method of individualized weight measurement of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining specific information on recent food items consumed includes data on fat, carbohydrate protein and caloric intake in relation to the number of calories burned per pound or per kilogram per day.

5. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes periodic updating as to changes in nutrient intake of said subject compared with predetermined standards.

6. The method of individualized weight management of claim 5 wherein said step of following up said consultation and review with periodic computer analysis further includes a print-out of the sources of calories consumed.

7. The method of individualized weight management of claim 6 wherein said print-out of said sources of calories consumed includes catagories listing the amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol as separate calorie sources.

8. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes periodic updating as to changes in the physical activity level of said subject.

9. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of following up said consultation with additional data includes computer analysis of the sources of calories consumed which are then compared with predetermined standards for sources of calories.

10. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining specific information of recent food items consumed by said subject includes information as to past food consumption and data regarding food item preferences.

11. The method of individualized weight management of claim 10 wherein said step of obtaining specific information of recent food items consumed by said subject includes information regarding food item taste preference.

12. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification instruction includes instruction in selecting quantity and types of foods.

13. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification instruction includes instruction for physical exercise.

14. The method of individualized weight management of claim 1 wherein said step of behavior modification includes modifying cooking habits to waterless and greaseless cooking.

15. A weight management method for attaining an ideal weight comprising:

(a) obtaining medical history of a subject to enumerate specific potential physiological abnormalities;

(b) obtaining a physical profile of said subject by means of obtaining data on height, sex, frame size, and weight;

(c) obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption over a specified period of time in terms of types of food, nutritional value, and the number of calories burned per pound per day;

(d) inputting data obtained from the information obtained in steps (a)-(c) to a computer for comparison with predetermined standards;

(e) ascertaining the number of calories said subject is above an ideal calorie and nutritional intake level;

(f) obtaining a computer analysis of the current calorie and nutritional level of said subject in relation to said predetermined standards;

(g) providing an intermediate calorie level above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level for a predetermined period of time where the number of calories said subject is above said ideal calorie and nutritional level is greater than 1000 calories;

(h) providing said subject with information as to a modification of eating patterns to selectively place said subject either at said ideal calorie and nutritional level, above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level, or not more than 300 calories below said ideal calorie and nutritional level:

(i) providing said subject with behavior modification instruction to alternatives to past food consumption wherein said behavior modification includes one or more changes selected from the group consisting of cooking, eating, nutritional and exercise habits;

(j) providing said subject with goals for achieving behavior modification on a periodic basis;

(k) providing periodic consultation and review with said subject to ascertain the attainment of goals of step (h) and providing additional goals; and

(l) following-up the consultation and review with a further computer analysis of the present weight and food consumption of said subject in relation to said predetermined standards.

16. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of ascertaining the number of calories said subject is above said ideal calorie and nutritional intake level is calculated by said computer.

17. The weight management method of claim 16 wherein said step of obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption includes obtaining information as to food taste preference.

18. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of behavior modification includes modifying at least one member of the group consisting of cooking, eating and exercise habits.

19. The weight management method of claim 18 wherein said step of modifying said cooking habits includes greaseless and waterless cooking.

20. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of behavior modification consists of changing exercise habits.

21. The weight management method of claim 15 wherein said step of obtaining information as to physical activity level and past food consumption includes listing amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol as separate calorie sources in relation to the number of calories burned per pound per day.