Girth monitor

Abstract

A decorative, sturdy light chain having links of one or more regular sizes made of a precious metal alloy (preferably silver) and an adjustable catch is worn continuously about a person's waist. Changes in girth circumference over a period are monitored through changes from an initial loose yet perceptible fit. The chain tightens noticeably as soon as the girth changes circumference, secretly warning of over-indulgence during a meal. When the position of the catch is altered, the person can celebrate a change in weight. Thus operant conditioning of the person is continuous and is supplemented whenever a milestone is reached.

Description

FIELD[0001] This invention relates to an article to be worn by a person; placed around the person's waist, and the invention relates to the fields of human body-weight monitoring and to personal health and fitness.[0002] Many people especially in the Western world have a tendency to add excess weight to their bodies with consequences for example of unsightliness, reduced exercise tolerance, and poorer health. Of course attitudes of Western society may be somewhat distorted towards desiring an excessively thin body, at least in some circles such as fashion models. There are said to be millions of people in the Western world suffering from overweight or obesity. Yet other societies either now or in the past have held quite different views. Weight management, such as maintenance of a desired weight, or reduction of an excessive weight is perceived as an important part of personal health management. Many people enter weight management programmes, including diets and exercise. Weight man...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In a first broad aspect this invention provides a girth monitor, for use by a person for tracking one's weight (body composition) and providing the person with both immediate and long-term feedback as to weight reduction or posture control, wherein the girth monitor comprises a substantially inextensible, flexible cord ("cord" being used in its widest sense) provided at a first end with means for reversible yet firm attachment of the first end onto a selected point at or near to the second end of the cord, thereby being capable in use of forming an adjustable closed loop about the waist of a person; the girth monitor being adapted to be worn in contact with the person's body for extended periods of time, and being capable in use of serving, by means of a variation of a perceived pressure under the girth monitor, to immediately indicate to that person any alterations (or trends) in waist circumference thus providing operant conditioning feedback.

[0010] Preferably the detailed construction (selection of materials, shape, configuration, and proportions) of the girth monitor are specifically made to be attractive or at least acceptable to at least the wearing person, so that the girth monitor will tend to be used over a longer period.

[0024] In a third broad aspect, the invention provides a method for monitoring the body composition of a person by means of a girth monitor as previously described in this section, wherein (a) the girth monitor is worn constantly, (b) a perceptible loosening of the girth monitor provides instant feedback of a loss of weight by the person; alternatively a perceptible tightening of the girth monitor provides instant feedback of a gain of weight by the person, and (c) the length of the inextensible belt may be adjusted when a change in weight appears to have become stabilised so that the range of circumferences of personal girth which may be monitored is thereby increased.

Problems solved by technology

Many people especially in the Western world have a tendency to add excess weight to their bodies with consequences for example of unsightliness, reduced exercise tolerance, and poorer health.

Of course attitudes of Western society may be somewhat distorted towards desiring an excessively thin body, at least in some circles such as fashion models.

Furthermore the weighing scales are non-transportable so that the "damage of a large dinner" could be inflicted well before the person has an indication of said damage.

These devices have disadvantages including that they are rather large, ugly, incompatible with becoming wet (so mush be taken off before bathing, showering, swimming, or going out in the rain), and could be highly embarrassing to the wearer when out to a meal.

None of these have been adapted to act as a girth monitor.

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