Weight Loss
Devices
The vast numbers of adults and teens who are overweight or obese worldwide is a growing concern of medical professionals. It seems that our way of working, socializing and even learning has become more sedentary and technology based, resulting in people eating too much and moving too little. Teams of creative designers and software engineers have come to the rescue by developing helpful tools to assist in weight loss and improved fitness--tools that track calories burned and ingested with scientific accuracy.
Fitness Trackers
Trackers are small wireless devices worn all day that record your movement, including steps taken and distance traveled, and translate it into calories burned. Several also track sleep quality if worn on the wrist at night. Designed with a a 3D motion sensor, fitness trackers can work on your waist like a pedometer, in your pocket or on underwear. Data collected and stored is wirelessly downloaded to the manufacturer's website when you are within 15 feet of the base station. You can track and share weight-loss progress with other users or set up friendly competitions against coworkers, family or friends.
Digital Activity Monitors with Food Log
A more advanced electronic device for weight loss is worn unobtrusively on the back of the upper arm and tracks calories burned throughout the course of your day. Your personal profile--which includes current weight, body fat and specific health concerns as well as your goals--is set up at the start of your program on the manufacturer's website and synced to your device. Another feature offered with this product is an online food log. A database of thousands of foods (with the ability to add custom foods and recipes), exercise programs, eating plans and suggested menus is provided via the subscription-based web interface. An optional digital display, which looks like a wristwatch, provides real-time readouts of calories burned. This device helps motivate you to move more and eat wisely.
Portion Controlled Plates and Bowls
If overeating is a problem, you can invest in a colorful plate that directs proper serving size and balance of protein and starchy carbohydrates with each meal, without dieting. Portion sizes and number of servings are controlled by the plate, alleviating the need to worry about or count calories, fat or carbohydrate grams. Offered are a diet plate and bowl, with separate offerings for men, women and overweight children.
Electronic Television Controllers
Electronic television controllers are perfect for anyone guilty of spending big bucks on exercise equipment that is now collecting dust or being used as a clothes hanger. These devices connect to your television and any exercise machine, requiring you to exercise while you watch. The controller reduces television volume when you are slacking off (and your heart rate drops), and increases the volume when you are exercising more intensely. Most users would be motivated to keep moving, especially if a favorite television show is on. Once you stop moving, the volume is muted and the television turns off. Reasonably priced, such devices could help "couch potatoes" burn several hundred more calories per day.
Corporate Fitness Weight Management System
Developed based upon information gleaned from more than 10 years of obesity-related research conducted by Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic, this weight- management system is marketed primarily to corporations to encourage workplace fitness. It tracks activity with a small device that can be worn on the waistband. A related online service and the company's consulting service are packaged with the device. Purported provide greater than 95 percent accuracy for calories burned each day.
