System and method for monitoring weight and nutrition

Abstract

A method for providing weight and nutritional information involves input of subject data such as weight, body fat percentage, and expected activity levels. The method allows users to input an assessment of a subject, which can be used to generate a weight plan for the subject. The weight plan can include minimum weights for the subject, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time. The method can also be used to generate a nutrition plan based on the subject data entered. A subject can build the nutrition plan by responding to a series of food exchange item prompts.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of monitoring weight, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of data entry options, the data entry options allowing entry of data for generating an assessment of a subject, wherein the menu of data entry options comprises: 
 an option for entry of an identification of the subject;  
 an option for entry of subject gender;  
 an option for entry of at least one of subject academic level or age;  
 an option for entry of subject weight; and  
 an option for entry of data describing subject body fat percentage;  
   storing the assessment data on a computer-readable medium;    determining subject body fat percentage;    generating a weight plan based on the subject assessment data, wherein generating the weight plan comprises: 
 calculating a plurality of minimum weights for the subject using a maximum allowable weight loss percentage for a time period, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time period; and  
   storing the weight plan on a computer-readable medium.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining subject body fat percentage comprises: 
 determining subject body density;    determining subject fat weight; and    determining subject fat free weight.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 displaying subject body fat percentage; and    displaying a first value of the plurality of minimum weights.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 providing a menu of report options.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 providing a menu for access by one or more assessors, the assessor access menu providing access for persons designated by a governing body.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the assessors menu allows an assessor to generate an alpha master report of wrestlers.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 providing an instruction menu, the instruction menu including a plurality of options that describe how to use the menus provided, one of the options including instructions describing skin fold measurements.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating a weight plan comprises: 
 determining a first minimum weight value using subject weight, body fat percentage, and fat weight; and    iteratively decreasing the first minimum weight by a constant factor, each successive decrease in the first minimum weight corresponding to a successive minimum weight period for a successive time period.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 providing menu options for a program addressed to scholastic wrestlers and for a program addressed to collegiate wrestlers.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating a weight plan comprises: 
 receiving an input of subject weight;    determining subject body fat percentage;    calculating a lowest allowable weight-one based at least in part on subject body fat percentage; and    determining a plurality of minimum weight values based on the lowest allowable weight-one, each minimum weight value being associated with a time.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein calculating a lowest allowable weight-one comprises: 
 multiplying subject weight by the body fat percentage to calculate the fat weight;    subtracting the fat weight from the body weight to calculate free fat weight; and    dividing the free fat weight by a factor.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the subject's body fat percentage comprises: 
 determining subject hydrated weight; and    determining subject body density.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject is allowed to lose a preselected percentage of his or her body weight in a discrete time period, the preselected percentage being mandated by a governing body.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 providing a nutritional plan, wherein providing nutritional plan comprises:    determining an expected energy expenditure for a subject based at least in part on subject predicted activity level;    determining a recommended energy intake based on the expected energy expenditure;    providing a list of food exchanges for the subject;    allowing the subject to select items from the food exchanges; and    providing the nutritional plan resulting from the subject's selections.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining an expected energy expenditure comprises: 
 determining a resting energy expenditure.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing a list of food exchanges comprises: 
 providing successive menus of differing types of foods, and indicating an allowable quantity that may be selected for each type of food.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing successive menus of differing types of foods comprises: 
 providing an item display of dairy food items;    providing an item display of protein food items;    providing an item display of vegetable food items;    providing an item display of fruit food items; and    providing an item display of starch food items.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining a recommended energy intake comprises: 
 determining a recommended energy intake based at least in part on the weight plan.    
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable medium comprising indicia representing a program which when executed performs the following functions: 
 providing a plurality of data entry options, the data entry options allowing entry of data for generating an assessment of a subject, wherein the menu of data entry options comprises: 
 an option for entry of an identification of the subject;  
 an option for entry of subject gender;  
 an option for entry of subject academic level;  
 an option for entry of subject weight; and  
 an option for entry of data describing subject body fat percentage; storing the assessment data on a computer-readable medium; determining subject body fat percentage;  
   generating a weight plan based on the subject assessment data, wherein generating the weight plan comprises: 
 calculating a plurality of minimum weights for the subject using a maximum allowable weight loss percentage for a time period, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time period; and  
 storing the weight plan on a computer-readable medium.