JP2002301040A - Visceral adipometer with clock function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure the amount of visceral adipose under stable conditions and little fluctuation in the periodic fluctuation of biological impedance caused by a patient's physiological factors. SOLUTION: The visceral adipometer includes input keys and switches 10 to 16 for inputting a examee's individual data, a central processing part 18 for computing the amount of visceral adipose of the examee based on the data input from the input keys and switches 10 to 16, and a display part 9 for displaying the results computed by the central processing part 18. The time or time zone of measurement of the amount of visceral adipose can be input by the input keys and switches.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a visceral fat meter with a clock function provided with a clock function to a visceral fat meter for measuring visceral fat mass.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a body fat meter that can easily determine a body fat amount by measuring a subject's bioimpedance has become widespread, and is easily used in general households and the like for health management. ing.

[0003] On the other hand, in the medical field, research on the relationship between obesity and lifestyle-related diseases (adult diseases) has recently been advanced, and the distribution of body fat is important, not simply obesity. I understand. In particular, excessive accumulation of visceral fat can lead to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, stroke,
It has been clarified that it is one of the causes of so-called lifestyle-related diseases such as myocardial infarction.

[0004] In addition, BMI (Body Mass Injection), which has been generally used as an index indicating the degree of obesity, has been conventionally used.
In addition to dex (physical index) = weight / (height) ² ), various indexes (body fat percentage, abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area, etc.) for determining visceral fat type obesity have been devised. Each has been demonstrated in clinical practice.
Of these, the body fat percentage is determined based on the personal identification data of the subject, such as height, weight, age, and sex, and the measured value of the bioelectrical impedance. In addition to the CT cross-sectional measurement near the navel of the abdomen of the person, it is obtained by the estimation calculation based on the data of the waist size near the navel of the abdomen and the personal identification data. As described above, a simple measuring device for body fat or visceral fat is being used for health management, but a conventional measuring device is based on a method for measuring bioelectrical impedance (referred to as “BI method”). Most are based on it.

[0005]

However, this B
In the method I, the measurement of the bioelectrical impedance is easily affected by physiological fluctuation factors such as the body water content and blood flow rate of the subject, and the measurement method, the measurement site, and the body obtained depending on the method of use such as the measurement method. A measurement error will occur in the value of fat mass.

[0006] The physiological fluctuation periodically occurs as a daily fluctuation. For example, the physiological state of the subject is not constant from the time of waking up to bedtime, and the metabolism generally increases from a low metabolism state at waking up (a state close to basal metabolism) to afternoon, and before going to bed. It is said that the metabolism tends to decrease slightly. During this time, short-term fluctuations occur due to meals and exercise. Further, in the medium to long term, periodic fluctuations can be considered on a weekly, monthly or seasonal basis depending on the living activity of the subject.

[0007] In view of the above, in order to reduce the influence on the bioimpedance measurement due to the above-mentioned fluctuation factors, it is necessary to analyze in advance the timing and conditions under which stable measurement and reproducible measurement can be performed. It is necessary to set the timing and conditions based on the result.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a stable state in which there is relatively little variation in the periodic fluctuation of bioelectrical impedance caused by physiological factors of a subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide a visceral fat meter with a clock function capable of measuring a visceral fat amount.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a visceral fat meter with a clock function according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting personal data of a subject; An arithmetic unit for calculating the visceral fat mass of the subject based on the input data, and a display unit for displaying a calculation result by the arithmetic unit, wherein the input unit is configured to measure the visceral fat mass at a measurement time or a measurement time zone. Can be input.

According to the present invention, the visceral fat content of the subject is calculated by the calculation unit based on the personal data input from the input unit, and the calculation result is displayed on the display unit. , Visceral fat mass, in other words, an index relating to obesity can be grasped in relation to the measurement time or measurement time zone. Therefore, it is possible to measure the visceral fat amount in a stable state with relatively small fluctuations in the periodic fluctuation of the bioimpedance caused by the physiological factors of the subject, and more effective health care is provided. You can do it.

In the present invention, the personal data input from the input unit is data including a height, a weight, and a waist size of the subject, and the arithmetic unit performs the processing based on the data input from the input unit. It is preferable to calculate the BMI of the subject in addition to the visceral fat content of the examiner (second invention). In this way, not only the visceral fat mass but also BMI (physique index) data, which is used as an index for judging obesity or leanness internationally, is calculated, so that the obesity situation can be grasped more reliably. It becomes possible.

In this case, it is preferable that the visceral fat mass and / or the BMI of the subject be displayed in a plurality of ranks on the display section (third invention). By ranking the degree of obesity for each index in this manner, the subject can more easily determine his or her own obesity degree.

Further, in the second invention or the third invention, the calculation unit may include a visceral fat amount and / or a visceral fat amount of the subject.
Alternatively, it is preferable that the BMI is compared with the judgment reference value input in advance to determine obesity, and the display unit displays the result of the obesity judgment (fourth invention). . This allows the subject to more easily determine obesity.

Next, the visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the fifth invention is brought into contact with an input section for inputting personal data including the height, weight and waist size of the subject and a part of the body of the subject. A current application electrode and a measurement electrode, a bioimpedance measurement unit that measures a bioimpedance of a subject by a signal obtained from the measurement electrode, and data input from the bioimpedance measurement unit and the input unit. An input unit for calculating at least one of a subject's BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat mass based on the input data; and a display unit for displaying an operation result by the operation unit. Is characterized in that a measurement time or a measurement time zone of the visceral fat mass can be inputted.

According to the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the bioelectrical impedance of the subject is measured, and the body fat percentage of the subject is calculated and displayed based on the measured value. Can more accurately grasp the state of obesity, and can further enhance the effects obtained by the first invention.

In the fifth aspect, the display unit includes:
It is preferable that at least one of the subject's BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat mass is displayed in a plurality of ranks (Sixth invention). By doing so, similarly to the third invention, the subject can more easily determine his or her own obesity degree.

In the fifth invention or the sixth invention, the calculation unit compares and calculates at least one of the subject's BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat mass with a judgment reference value input in advance. It is preferable that the display unit displays the result of the determination of obesity (the seventh invention). This allows the subject to more easily determine obesity.

In the first, second or fifth aspect of the present invention, the visceral fat mass of the subject is stored together with the measurement date and time and the measurement time, and the display unit displays the past measurement value of the visceral fat mass. It is preferable that the amount of change is simultaneously displayed (eighth invention). By doing so, the subject can confirm the lapse of time for his own visceral fat mass data simply by looking at the display unit.

In each of the above-mentioned inventions, it is preferable that a measurement instruction means for outputting an instruction for measuring the visceral fat mass is provided on a scheduled measurement date and a measurement time inputted in advance (a ninth invention). Thus, the subject can perform reliable measurement with less error.

The visceral fat content is preferably the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area of the subject, which is used in a clinical setting as an index for judging obesity (the tenth invention).

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a specific embodiment of a visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) of a visceral fat meter with a clock function according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the visceral fat meter with a clock function.

The visceral fat meter 1 with a clock function of the present embodiment
Comprises a device main body 2 and electrodes 3, 4, 5, and 6 disposed on the left and right sides of an upper end surface and a lower end surface of the device main body 2, and a stand 7 in the center of the lower end surface. It is designed to be used upright.
Here, the electrodes 3 to 6 are the electrodes 3 and 4 provided on the upper end surface.
Are electrodes for applying current, and electrodes 5, 6 provided on the lower end face
Is used as a measurement electrode, by sandwiching each of the electrodes 3 to 6 with the fingers of both hands, the bioimpedance measurement circuit (bioimpedance measurement unit) 8 can measure the bioimpedance between the fingers of both hands.

A display unit 9 is provided at the center of the front of the main body 2.
Is provided so that a clock display and calculation results such as body fat percentage and abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area can be displayed.
In addition, a mode changeover switch 10, a measurement time / time zone setting mode selection switch 11,
An input key / switch including a visceral fat setting mode switch 12, an increment / decrement key 13, an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area measurement start switch 14, a measurement time transmission method selection switch 15, and a timer setting switch 16 is provided.

The bioimpedance measuring circuit 8, display unit 9, and input keys / switches 10 to 16 are connected to a central processing unit 18 via an I / O circuit 17. The central processing unit 18 is provided with a storage unit 19, and data such as personal data input by the input keys / switches 10 to 16 and data measured by the bioimpedance measuring circuit 8 are transmitted via the I / O circuit 17. Lever storage unit 19
Is stored. Further, the I / O circuit 17 includes a clock / timer 20 and an alarm transmission unit 2.
1 is connected.

Next, the operation of the visceral fat meter 1 with a clock function having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The symbol S indicates a step.

S1 to S2: The visceral fat meter 1 with a clock function of this embodiment is usually used as a clock with a clock mode selected. And the mode changeover switch 10
When is pressed, the mode is switched from the clock mode to the visceral fat measurement mode (step S10). S3: If the clock mode is selected, it is determined whether or not the measurement time / time zone setting mode selection switch 11 has been pressed. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. The watch mode display is continued as it is. On the other hand, when the measurement time / time zone setting mode selection switch 11 is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

S4: In this measurement time / time zone setting mode, the subject can select and input either the measurement time or the time zone when measuring the body fat percentage or the like. Therefore, it is determined here whether the measurement time or the time zone is selected. S5 to S6: When the measurement time is selected, first, FIG.
As shown in (a), time zone, for example, immediately after getting up,
After the breakfast, after lunch, before going to bed, etc., a time zone suitable for the subject can be selected from any of the living time zones. From these, the subject selects a time zone (“after lunch” in the example of FIG. 4A), and then selects a measurement time (“15:30” in the example of FIG. 4A). When the setting is input, the input data is stored in the storage unit 19.

S7-S8: On the other hand, when the time zone is selected in the judgment in step S4, first, FIG.
As shown in (b), similarly to step S5, a time zone suitable for the subject can be selected.
From these, the subject selects a time zone (“after lunch” in the example of FIG. 4B), and then selects the range of the measurement time zone (FIG. 4).
When “13:00 to 14:00” in the example of (b) is selected and set and input, the input data is stored in the storage unit 19. S9: When the measurement time or the measurement time range is thus input, the display switches to the clock mode display.

By the way, based on general lifestyle,
In each of the above-mentioned time zones, for example, immediately after getting up, between 6:30 and 7:00, after breakfast, between 10:00 and 11:00, and after lunch, Between 15:00 and 16:00, and before going to bed, a time zone between 22:00 and 23:00 can be recommended as the measurement time zone. It is assumed that these recommended time periods avoid time periods of exercise, meals, and the like accompanied by large physiological fluctuations. Therefore, when the measurement time or the measurement time zone is input and stored as described above, if the input time or the time zone is not in the recommended time zone, the display outside the measurement time is performed, Alternatively, an attention signal is transmitted. In the example of FIG. 4A, the input measurement time is set to the recommended time zone (15:00 to
16:00), "Caution" is indicated in the "Caution" column. In contrast, FIG.
In the example of (b), since the input measurement time zone does not fall within the recommended time zone, “out of measurement time” is displayed in the “Caution” column. By providing such a function, the subject can perform an error-free and reliable measurement.

S10 to S12: In the determination in step S2, when the mode is not the clock mode, the mode is switched to the visceral fat measurement mode. In this visceral fat measurement mode, it is first determined whether or not to confirm a previously input measurement time or measurement time zone, and when the confirmation is performed, the measurement time / time zone setting mode selection switch 11 is pressed. The display on the display unit 9 changes to a display as shown in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B, and the display contents are confirmed on this display screen. If it is determined in step S11 that the measurement time or the measurement time zone is not confirmed, the process skips steps S12 and S13 and proceeds to step S14.

S13 to S15: When starting measurement of visceral fat, it is first determined whether or not to input personal data.
2 to depress the visceral fat setting mode switch 1
By sequentially pressing 2, personal data items (height, weight, age, sex, waist size, etc.) of the subject are selected. Then, in this data item selection state,
By operating the increment / decrement key 13, the personal data of the subject is selectively input. The data thus input is stored in the storage unit 19. Next, based on the stored personal data, the central processing unit 1
In step 8, a BMI calculation is performed, and the calculation result is stored in the storage unit 19. Here, the arithmetic expressions used for these operations are stored in the storage unit 19 in advance, and the arithmetic expressions are called by the central processing unit 18 when executing the operations. On the other hand, if personal data is not input in the determination of step S14, the process proceeds to step S16.

Here, the instruction to start the measurement is based on the data of the measurement time or the measurement time zone which is input and stored in advance, and when the set time comes, the alarm or voice is transmitted from the alarm transmission unit (measurement instruction means) 21. Transmission is performed by a signal. This transmission method can be selected by the measurement time transmission method selection switch 15.
Note that any other method may be used as long as it can notify the subject of the measurement time. Further, the timer can be set by the timer setting switch 16.

S16-S17: When measuring bioelectrical impedance, the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area measurement start switch 14 is pressed to operate the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (A
After V) is ready to start the measurement, the fingers of both hands are
6 and the bioimpedance between the fingers of both hands is measured, and the measured data is stored in the storage unit 19.
Next, the personal data (height, weight, age,
The central processing unit 18 calculates the body fat percentage based on the measured bioelectrical impedance and the measured bioelectrical impedance, and stores the calculation result in the storage unit 19. further,
The central processing unit 18 calculates an abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) based on the personal data and bioimpedance or the personal data and body fat percentage, and stores the calculation result in the storage unit 19. The arithmetic expressions used when executing the arithmetic operations are stored in the storage unit 19 in advance, and the arithmetic expressions are called by the central processing unit 18 when performing the arithmetic operations.

S18: BM obtained by the above calculation
Each index of I, body fat percentage and abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) is read out from the storage unit 19 and displayed on the display unit 9 as necessary. In this case, as shown in FIG.
Each of these indices can be displayed together with the data at the time of the previous or past measurement. By doing so, it is possible to confirm the passage of time for each index. In addition, in the example of FIG. 5, an obesity degree rank and an obesity determination result described later can be displayed together. Furthermore, for example, in the case where a diet or the like is performed, if a target is set and displayed in advance,
It is possible to check the degree of achievement to the target value, and to promote more effective dieting. in this case,
The display at the time of the previous measurement can be switched to display the target value. Further, an achievement rate of the current measured value with respect to the target value or a deviation from the target value may be obtained and displayed.

By the way, the calculation formula of the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) is obtained by adding bioimpedance or body fat percentage (FAT) as a correction term to the waist size variable term, The correlation with the data of the visceral fat cross-sectional area can be enhanced to improve the estimation accuracy. Here, a regression equation represented by the following equation (1) is used as a value to which a correction term of the bioelectrical impedance is added. AV = a ₁ × W _L + b ₁ × Z + d ₁ (1) where _WL is a waist size and coefficients a ₁ and b ₁
And the constant d ₁ is determined by a statistical method based on the correlation between the waist size and bioimpedance of the population and the abdominal cross-sectional C / T data.

In addition to the regression equation of the above equation (1), a regression equation represented by the following equation (2) can be used as a result of adding the body fat percentage (FAT) as a correction term. AV = a ₂ × W _L + c ₁ × FAT + d ₂ (2) In this case, the coefficients a ₂ and c ₁ and the constant d ₂ are also
Population waist size and body fat percentage and abdominal cross section C /
It is determined by a statistical method based on the correlation with the T data.

Further, the following equation (3) can be used as an arithmetic equation for obtaining a higher correlation coefficient (r = 0.9 or more) for the C / T data. ^{_{AV = e 1 × W L 2}} × H L × FAT + f 1 × W L 2 × H L × Age + d 3 ...... (3) , however, _{H L} tall, Age represents age. In this case, the coefficients e ₁ , f ₁ and the constant d ₃ are obtained by multiplying the square of the waist size of the group by the height and the body fat percentage and the square of the waist size by the height and the age. It is determined by a statistical method based on the correlation with the abdominal cross section C / T data. Further, the following equation (4) may be used. AV = f ₂ × W _L ² × H _L × Age + g ₁ × FAT + d ₄ (4) In this case, the coefficients f ₂ , g ₁ and the constant d ₄ are obtained by multiplying the square of the waist size of the group by the height age. And the body fat percentage are determined by a statistical method based on the correlation between the abdominal cross section C / T data. In these equations (3) and (4), the variable term of the square of the waist size is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the variable term of the third or fourth power of the waist size may be used.

The BMI, body fat percentage, and abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) obtained by the above-described calculation and stored in the storage unit 19 are compared with reference values for judging obesity, The ranking of the degree is done,
The result is stored in the storage unit 19. Here, the reference value and the comparison operation expression used for the comparison operation are stored in the storage unit 19, and are called by the central processing unit 18 when the operation is performed. The reference values for determining this obesity include BMI = 25 (both men and women), body fat percentage (male: 20).
%, Female: 30%), abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) = 1
00 cm ² (for both men and women) is used. The BMI is
It is used internationally as an index for judging obesity and leanness, and the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (AV) represents the distribution of visceral fat and is used in clinical settings as an index for judging obesity. It is what is being done. The BMI, body fat percentage, and AV can be used to rank obesity according to each index. That is, in BMI, 1
9.7 or less is rank I, the range of 19.8 to 24.1 is rank II, the range of 24.2 to 26.3 is rank III,
26.4 or more is ranked as rank IV. In the case of males, the percentage of body fat is 10% or less, rank I, 10-20.
% Range to rank II, 20 to 25% range to rank I
II, 25% or more is ranked IV, and if female, 20
% Or less in rank I, 20 to 30% range in rank II,
A range of 30 to 35% is defined as rank III, and a range of 35% or more is defined as rank IV. In addition, abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area (A
For V), rank I is 50 cm ² or less, and 50 to 1
Rank a range of 00cm ² II, 100~150cm ²
Rank III, 150 cm ² or higher rank IV
And

The obesity degree rank and the results of the obesity determination are displayed on the display unit 9 as shown in FIG. In this display, the rank may be displayed for each of the BMI, the body fat percentage, and the abdominal visceral fat cross-sectional area, or the priority rank or the average rank is determined and displayed based on the rank data of all the indexes. You may do it.

In each of the above embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the abdominal visceral fat of the subject is determined based on the input personal data (height, weight, age, sex, waist size, etc.) of the subject. Although the calculation is performed using a calculation formula stored in advance, the waist size data may be obtained by estimation from the input data of the height, weight, and age of the subject. The following equation (5) is an example of this estimation equation. W _L = m ₁ × W / H _L ² + n ₁ × Age + l ₁ (5) where W: weight, H _L : height, Age: age, m ₁ and n ₁ are coefficients, and l ₁ Is a constant.

Further, based on the waist size obtained by this calculation and the personal data (height, weight, age, sex, etc.) of the subject, the abdomen of the subject is calculated by the calculation formula used in the above embodiment. Visceral fat cross-sectional area can also be determined. By doing so, the trouble of measuring and inputting the waist size can be omitted, so that the visceral fat amount can be obtained more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) of a visceral fat meter with a clock function according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of a display screen of the visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the embodiment;
(A) is a measurement time setting mode display, and (b) is a measurement time zone setting mode display.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a display screen of the visceral fat meter with a clock function according to the embodiment, which is a visceral fat measurement mode display.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Visceral fat meter with a clock function 2 Device main body 3-6 Electrode 7 Stand 8 Bioimpedance measurement circuit (bioimpedance measurement unit) 9 Display unit 10-16 Input key / switch (input unit) 17 I / O circuit 18 Central processing unit (Arithmetic unit) 19 storage unit 20 clock / timer 21 alarm transmission unit (measurement instruction means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き The continuation of the front page F term (reference) 4C027 AA06 BB03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting personal data of a subject, a calculation unit for calculating a visceral fat mass of the subject based on data input from the input unit, and a calculation result by the calculation unit is displayed. A visceral fat meter with a clock function, wherein the input unit is capable of inputting a measurement time or a measurement time zone of the visceral fat mass. 2. The personal data input from the input unit is data including a height, a weight, and a waist size of the subject, and the calculation unit is configured to output the subject based on the data input from the input unit. Visceral fat content and subject's B
The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 1, which calculates MI. 3. The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 2, wherein the visceral fat amount and / or BMI of the subject is displayed in a plurality of ranks on the display unit. 4. The arithmetic unit compares the visceral fat mass and / or BMI of the subject with a previously input determination reference value to determine obesity, and the display unit determines The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the result of the determination of obesity is displayed. 5. An input section for inputting personal data including height, weight and waist size of a subject, an electrode for current application and a measuring electrode to be brought into contact with a part of the body of the subject, and the measurement. A bio-impedance measuring unit for measuring the bio-impedance of the subject based on a signal obtained from the electrode for use, and at least a BMI of the subject based on data input from the bio-impedance measuring unit and data input from the input unit. A calculating unit for calculating any of body fat percentage and visceral fat mass, and a display unit for displaying a calculation result by the calculating unit, wherein the input unit is configured to measure the visceral fat mass at a measurement time or a measurement time zone. A visceral fat meter with a clock function, characterized in that the visceral fat meter can be inputted. 6. The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays at least one of a subject's BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat mass in a plurality of ranks. . 7. The calculation unit performs at least one of the BMI, the body fat percentage, and the visceral fat mass of the subject with a determination reference value input in advance to determine obesity, The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays the result of the determination of obesity. 8. The visceral fat mass of the subject is stored together with the measurement date and time and the measurement time, and the display unit simultaneously displays a change in the visceral fat mass from a past measurement value. The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to 1, 2, or 5. 9. A clock function according to claim 1, further comprising a measurement instruction means for outputting an instruction for measuring the visceral fat mass on a measurement scheduled date and a measurement time inputted in advance. Visceral fat meter. 10. The visceral fat meter with a clock function according to claim 1, wherein the visceral fat amount is a cross-sectional area of abdominal visceral fat of the subject.