Weight control method using physical activity based parameters

• US 20030226695A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HealtheTech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: HealtheTech, Inc.
• Inventors: Mault, James R.
• Application Number:
  US10/296,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/25.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0295 adapted for recording user messages or annotations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/083 Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 : combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 : Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 : Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 : Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4146 : for controlling caloric intake, e.g. diet control
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 : using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 : relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

A method of assisting a person to achieve a weight control goal comprises determining a resting energy expenditure for the person using an indirect calorimeter, and converting the resting energy expenditure of the person into a number of resting points. The activity level of the person can be monitored or estimated, and converted into a number of activity points. The sum of activity points and resting points can be compared with the number of diet points consumed by the person, wherein the diet points are calculated based on calorie content and other nutritional values. The balance of these weight control points can be presented to a person, so as to assist the person succeed in a weight control program.

Claims

1. A method of assisting a person to achieve a weight control goal, the method comprising:

determining a resting energy expenditure for the person using an indirect calorimeter;

assigning resting points to the resting energy expenditure of the person;

assigning activity points to an activity level of the person;

monitoring consumption of consumables by the person, and assigning consumption points to the consumables consumed, wherein the consumption points are assigned based on the calorie content and at least one other nutritional parameter of the consumables;

determining the a difference between the consumption points and a summation of the expenditure points with the activity points; and

providing feedback to the person based on the difference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumption points are assigned based on the calorie content and fat content of the consumables.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resting points are assigned based on the calorie value of the resting energy expenditure and a fat content of the person'"'"'s diet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity points are assigned based on the calorie value of the activity and a fat content of the person'"'"'s diet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity level is determined using a portable activity monitor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined range of energy expenditure is calculated based on the resting energy expenditure of the person.

6. A system for assisting a person in a weight control program, the system comprising:

an activity monitor having an activity sensor and a transmitter, wherein the activity monitor transmits an activity signal correlated with a physical activity level of the person;

a portable electronic device having a processor, a display, a receiver, and a memory, wherein the portable electronic device receives the activity signal from the activity monitor; and

a software application program running on the portable electronic device, adapted to receive data corresponding to consumables consumed by the person, to assign diet points to the consumables consumed based on calorie content and at least one other nutritional parameter, to assign activity points correlated with the activity signal, to receive a resting energy expenditure of the person, to assign resting points correlated with the resting energy expenditure, and to provide a visual representation of the difference between the diet points and the sum of the resting points and the activity points on the display.

7. A method of assisting a person to achieve a level of physical activity, the method comprising:

determining a resting energy expenditure of the person;

assigning a number of activity points to the calorie value of the resting energy expenditure, so that a single activity point is a fraction of the person'"'"'s resting energy expenditure;

monitoring an activity level of the person;

correlating the activity level of the person with a value of activity points expended; and

providing feedback to the person correlated with the value of activity points expended.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the resting energy expenditure of the person is determined using an indirect calorimeter.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the feedback comprises a graphic on an electronic display.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the feedback comprises the illumination of colored lights.

11. A system to assist a person achieve a level of energy expenditure, the system comprising:

an activity sensor;

a processor, receiving an activity signal from the activity sensor, adapted to determine an energy expenditure by the person from the activity signal, and to generate a visual representation on a visual indicator of a predetermined range of energy expenditure within which the energy expenditure falls.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator is an electronic display.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the visual indicator comprises a plurality of colored lights.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the activity sensor is a heart rate sensor.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the activity sensor is a pedometer.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the activity sensor is a position location device.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the activity sensor is an indirect calorimeter.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the activity sensor comprises part of an exercise machine.