U.S. patent application number 11/030763 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for visceral fat determining device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kawanishi, Shozo.
Application Number | 20050124865 11/030763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18627851 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050124865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawanishi, Shozo |
June 9, 2005 |
Visceral fat determining device
Abstract
A visceral fat determining device is disclosed which can be used
easily at home for example and can obtain information on visceral
fat. The visceral fat determining device comprises: input means for
inputting personal data that represents vital characteristics of
the patient; a data processing unit capable of performing various
calculations; and a display device capable of displaying the
personal data and results of the calculations. Upon inputting of a
waist size which is a girth of trunk of the patient, and a hip size
which is a girth of buttocks of the patient, quantitative
information on abdominal visceral fat of the patient is given
through a calculation based on WHR which is a ratio of the waist
size to the hip size (waist size/hip size).
Inventors: |
Kawanishi, Shozo;
(Akashi-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
18627851 |
Appl. No.: |
11/030763 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/6887 20130101;
A61B 5/4872 20130101; A61B 5/0537 20130101; Y10S 128/92 20130101;
A61B 5/107 20130101; A61B 2560/0468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/300 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2000 |
JP |
2000-116381 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient, height and weight of the patient; a data processing unit
for storing the personal data and for calculating an estimated
value of an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the
patient based on the personal data; and a display device for
displaying the personal data and a result of the calculation
performed by the data processing unit; wherein the data processing
unit stores a second regression coefficient of WHR, WHR being a
ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal
girth H.sub.L, and a first regression coefficient of BMI, BMI being
an index of corpulence, and a second regression constant, the
regression coefficients and the regression constant being obtained
from statistical processing based on actual measurement values of
the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA measured in
abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples and
respective WHR values and BMI values of the human samples, the data
processing unit calculating the estimated value of abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR
value and a BMI value of the patient, the second regression
coefficient of said WHR, the first regression coefficient of said
BMI and the second regression constant.
2. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient, height, weight, sex and age of the patient; a data
processing unit for storing the personal data and for calculating
an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA of the patient based on the personal data; a display device
for displaying the personal data and a result of the calculation
performed by the data processing unit; and body fat ratio measuring
means for measuring a bioelectrical impedance Z of the patient via
electrodes contacted to end portions of the patient and for
calculating a body fat ratio FAT of the patient based on the
measured bioelectrical impedance Z and the inputted personal data
or a portion thereof; wherein the data processing unit stores a
third regression coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio
(W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth
H.sub.L, a first regression coefficient of body fat ratio FAT and a
third regression constant, the regression coefficients and the
regression constant being obtained from statistical processing
based on actual measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human
bodies of random samples and respective WHR values and FAT values
of the human samples, the data processing unit calculating the
estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
of the patient based on a WHR value of the patient, a FAT value of
the patient measured by the body fat ratio measuring means, the
third regression coefficient of said WHR, the first regression
coefficient of said FAT and the third regression constant.
3. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient, height, weight and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness
s of the patient; a data processing unit capable of storing the
personal data and performing calculation of an estimated value of
an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient
based on the personal data; and a display device for displaying the
personal data and a result of the calculation performed by the data
processing unit; wherein the data processing unit stores a fourth
regression coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L)
of an abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a second
regression coefficient of BMI, BMI being an index of corpulence, a
first regression coefficient of the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness s and a fourth regression constant, the regression
coefficients and the regression constant being obtained from
statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples
and respective WHR values, BMI values and abdominal subcutaneous
fat thickness values s of the human samples, the data processing
unit calculating the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR value, a BMI
value and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s of the
patient, the fourth regression coefficient of said WHR, the second
regression coefficient of said BMI, the first regression
coefficient of said abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s
and the second regression constant.
4. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 3,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates an abdominal
subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA based on the abdominal
subcutaneous fat thickness s and the abdominal girth WL, of the
patient.
5. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 4,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates a ratio VSR
between the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA and the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross
sectional area SA, of the patient.
6. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 5,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates a total
abdominal fat cross sectional area WA based on the estimated value
of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA and the abdominal
subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA, of the patient.
7. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient, height, weight, sex, age and an abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness s of the patient; a data processing unit for storing the
personal data and for calculating an estimated value of an
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient based
on the personal data; a display device for displaying the personal
data and a result of the calculation performed by the data
processing unit; and body fat ratio measuring means for measuring a
bioelectrical impedance Z of the patient via electrodes contacted
to end portions of the patient and for calculating a body fat ratio
FAT of the patient based on the measured bioelectrical impedance Z
and the inputted personal data or a portion thereof; wherein the
data processing unit stores a fifth regression coefficient of WHR,
WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an abdominal girth W.sub.L
to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a second regression coefficient of
body fat ratio FAT, a second regression coefficient of the
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and a fifth regression
constant, the regression coefficients and t regression constant
being obtained from statistic a ssing of correlation among actual
measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random
samples, and respective WHR values, FAT values and abdominal
subcutaneous fat thickness values s of the human samples, the data
processing unit calculating the estimated value of abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR
value of the patient, a FAT value and an abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness value s measured by the body fat measuring means, the
fifth regression coefficient of said WHR, the second regression
coefficient of said FAT, the second regression coefficient of said
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s, and the fifth regression
constant.
8. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 7,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates an abdominal
subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA based on the abdominal
subcutaneous fat thickness s and the abdominal girth W.sub.L, of
the patient.
9. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 8,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates a ratio VSR
between the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA and the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross
sectional area SA, of the patient.
10. The visceral fat determining device according to claim 8,
wherein the data processing unit further calculates a total
abdominal fat cross sectional area WA based on the estimated value
of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA and the abdominal
subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA, of the patient.
11. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, and a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient; a data processing unit for storing the personal data and
for calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
a display device for displaying the personal data and a result of
the calculation performed by the data processing unit; and
impedance measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical impedance Z
of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions of the
patient and for calculation on the measured bioelectrical impedance
Z; wherein the data processing unit stores a sixth regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a first
regression coefficient of the bioelectrical impedance Z and a sixth
regression constant, the regression coefficients and the regression
constant being obtained from statistical processing of correlation
among actual measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies
of random samples, and respective WHR values and bioelectrical
impedance values Z of the human samples, the data processing unit
calculating the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR value of the
patient, a bioelectrical impedance value Z of the patient measured
by the body fat ratio measuring means, the sixth regression
coefficient of said WHR, the first regression coefficient of said
bioelectrical impedance Z, and the sixth regression constant.
12. A visceral fat determining device comprising: input means for
inputting personal data including an abdominal girth W.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of a trunk of a patient, and a gluteal
girth H.sub.L which is a circumferential length of buttocks of the
patient; a data processing unit for storing the personal data and
for calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
a display device for displaying the personal data and a result of
the calculation performed by the data processing unit; and
impedance measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical impedance Z
of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions of the
patient and for calculation on the measured bioelectrical impedance
Z; where in the data processing unit stores a seventh regression
coefficient of WHR, and a first regression coefficient of
T.sub.L.sup.2/Z and a seventh regression constant, WHR being a
ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal
girth H.sub.L, T.sub.L.sup.2/Z being obtained by dividing a squared
height of a human by his bioelectrical impedance, the regression
coefficients and the regression constant being obtained
from,statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples,
and respective WHR values and T.sub.L.sup.2/Z values of the human
samples, the data processing unit calculating the estimated value
of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient
based on a WHR value of the patient, a bioelectrical impedance
value Z of the patient measured by the body fat ratio measuring
means, a height value T.sub.L inputted from the input means, the
seventh regression coefficient of said WHR, the first regression
coefficient of said T.sub.L.sup.2/Z, and the seventh regression
constant.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/018,874, filed Feb. 26, 2002, entitled
VISCERAL FAT DETERMINING DEVICE, which is a national phase
application based on PCT International Application No.
PCT/JP01/03213 and in turn claims priority to Japanese Pat. App.
Ser. No. 2000-116381, filed Apr. 18, 2000. The entire disclosure of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/018,874 is herein incorporated
by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a visceral fat determining
device capable of obtaining information on visceral fat, which is
part of internal body fat of a human body, through a simple
operation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Attention has been paid to human internal body fat in view
of health maintenance. Specifically, increase in the internal body
fat promotes adult diseases for example, and therefore monitoring
the internal body fat can lead to prevention of these diseases and
problems. There is an index called 8MI for evaluating such internal
body fat. Since BMI can be obtained from height and weight of a
patient, it is readily used as a index for obtaining information on
the internal body fat.
[0004] Another index for assessing the patient's internal body fat
is body fat ratio. Recently, a variety of body fat meters capable
of obtaining the body fat ratio are available on the market. By
using these body fat meters, the body fat ratio as an indicator of
the state of internal body fat can be obtained easily at home for
example.
[0005] Incidentally, among the internal body fat, the visceral fat
is believed to be a factor in particular contributing to various
complications of heart diseases, diabetes, and so on. For this
reason, the visceral fat is considered to be an important factor in
view of health maintenance.
[0006] Here, the BMI and the body fat ratio described above are
information obtained as an average data on the internal body fat as
existing in the whole body. Therefore, even if BMI or the body fat
ratio gives a value which does not indicate any health problems, it
is not necessarily possible to determine if there is any health
problem in relation with the visceral fat.
[0007] Information on the visceral fat can be obtained through a
diagnosing method such as abdominal tomography by means of CT
scanning, MRI and so on. Such a method allows direct observation of
the abdomen itself, making possible to obtain accurate information
on the visceral fat.
[0008] However, such a diagnosis using CT scanning or the like is
only possible with a large scale apparatus installed at a major
hospital, and the results can be obtained only after a certain
length of time necessary for measurement and data analysis. In
addition, highly specific expertise is required for the operation
of the apparatus and the data analysis. Therefore, the method is
not available as a handy means for obtaining visceral fat
information at home for example.
[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a visceral fat determining device that can be used easily
at home or the like, for obtaining information on visceral fat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In order to achieve the object, a visceral fat determining
device according to the present invention comprises:
[0011] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient and a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient;
[0012] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating quantitative information on abdominal visceral fat of
the patient based on the personal data; and
[0013] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing
unit;
[0014] wherein the data processing unit calculates quantitative
information associated with the abdominal visceral fat of the
patient based on WHR which is a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of the
abdominal girth W.sub.L to the gluteal girth H.sub.L.
[0015] The state of abdominal visceral fat of the patient is
believed to have a very high correlation with WHR which is one of
physical characteristics of the patient. In the visceral fat
determining device according to the present invention, quantitative
information on the abdominal visceral fat of the patient can be
calculated based on WHR=W.sub.L/H.sub.L, namely a ratio between the
gluteal girth which is a hip size of the patient and the abdominal
girth W.sub.L which is a waist size of the patient. Therefore, the
visceral fat determining device according to the present invention
enables to obtain the information on the abdominal visceral fat
which is information deeply related to the health of the patient,
easily at home or the like.
[0016] According to the above visceral fat determining device, the
quantitative information on the abdominal visceral fat may be an
amount of the abdominal visceral fat. The amount of the abdominal
visceral fat is information deeply related to the health of the
patient. Therefore, by monitoring the amount of the visceral fat,
it is possible to foresee a possibility of being suffered from
adult diseases.
[0017] The above visceral fat determining device may further
comprise body fat ratio measuring means for measuring a
bioelectrical impedance Z of the patient via electrodes contacted
to end portions of the patient and for calculating a body fat ratio
FAT of the patient based on the measured bioelectrical impedance Z
and the inputted personal data or a portion thereof, and
[0018] the body fat ratio FAT obtained by the body fat ratio
measuring means may be displayed on the display device.
[0019] With this configuration, the visceral fat determining device
according to the present invention is not only capable of obtaining
information on the visceral fat but also capable of obtaining the
body fat ratio FAT.
[0020] Further, the visceral fat determining device according to
the present invention may be arranged so that it can calculate an
estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area
VA as information associated with the visceral fat. According to
the visceral fat determining device of the present invention, when
obtaining the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA, bya statistical processing to correlation
between actual values of an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA associated with unspecified number of human samples and the
personal data including WHR, a specific correlation between the WHR
and the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA are
determined. Then, by the determined correlation is applied to each
patient, the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA based on WHR and other data of each patient can
be obtained at a high accuracy.
[0021] A visceral fat determining device capable of obtaining such
an estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area
VA comprises:
[0022] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk (waist size) of a patient and a gluteal girth H.sub.L which
is a circumferential length of buttocks (hip size) of the
patient;
[0023] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
and
[0024] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing
unit;
[0025] wherein the data processing unit stores a first regression
coefficient of WHR and a first regression constant, WHR being a
ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal
girth H.sub.L, the regression coefficient and the regression
constant being obtained from statistical processing based on actual
measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random
samples and respective WHR values of the human samples, the data
processing unit calculating the estimated value of abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR
value of the patient, the first regression constant of said WHR and
the first regression coefficient.
[0026] The invention of to the visceral fat determining device
according to the above configuration is based on the fact that the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA correlates with the
WHR. The data processing unit stores a first regression coefficient
of the WHR and a first regression constant. The regression
coefficient and the regression constant are obtained from
statistical processing based on actual measurement values of the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA measured in
abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples and
respective WHR values of the human samples. Then, upon input of a
WHR value of the patient, an estimated value of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA is calculated based on the
first regression constant of the WHR and the first regression
coefficient.
[0027] As described above, according to the visceral fat
determining device of the present invention, the estimated value of
an abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA can be obtained
as the information associated with the visceral fat of the patient
by simply inputting a WHR value which is part of the personal data.
Therefore, the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA which is information deeply related to the health
can be obtained easily.
[0028] Further, the visceral fat determining device capable of
calculating the abdominal visceral fat cross section area VA may
comprise:
[0029] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient, height and
weight of the patient;
[0030] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
and
[0031] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing
unit;
[0032] wherein the data processing unit stores a second regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, and a first
regression coefficient of BMI, BMI being an index of corpulence,
and a second regression constant, the regression coefficients and
the regression constant being obtained from statistical processing
based on actual measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human
bodies of random samples and respective WHR values and BMI values
of the human samples, the data processing unit calculating the
estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
of the patient based on a WHR value and a BMI value of the patient,
the second regression coefficient of said WHR, the first regression
coefficient of said BMI and the second regression constant.
[0033] The invention which is related to this visceral fat
determining device is based on the fact that the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA correlates with the BMI, in addition to
the WHR. The data processing unit precedently stores a second
regression coefficient of the WHR, a first regression coefficient
of BMI, and a second regression constant. The regression
coefficients and the regression constant are obtained from
statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of
human bodies of random samples and two data of WHR values and BMI
values of the human samples. Then, according to this visceral fat
determining device, upon input of a WHR value and a BMI value of
the patient, an estimated value of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA is calculated. Therefore, according to the
visceral fat determining device, in calculating the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA, BMI of the patient can be
reflected in addition to the WHR of the patient.
[0034] Further, the visceral fat determining device may
comprise:
[0035] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient, height, weight,
sex and age of the patient;
[0036] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
[0037] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation-performed by the data processing unit;
and
[0038] body fat ratio measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical
impedance Z of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions
of the patient and for calculating a body fat ratio FAT of the
patient based on the measured bioelectrical impedance Z and the
inputted personal data or a portion thereof;
[0039] wherein the data processing unit stores a third regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a first
regression coefficient of body fat ratio FAT and a third regression
constant, the regression coefficients and the regression constant
being obtained from statistical processing based on actual
measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random
samples and respective WHR values and FAT values of the human
samples, the data processing unit calculating the estimated value
of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient
based on a WHR value of the patient, a FAT value of the patient
measured by the body fat ratio measuring means, the third
regression coefficient of said WHR, the first regression
coefficient of said FAT and the third regression constant.
[0040] The invention of this visceral fat determining device is
based on the fact that the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA correlates with the body fat ratio FAT, in addition to the
WHR. The data processing unit precedently stores a third regression
coefficient of the WHR, a first regression coefficient of the body
fat ratio FAT and a third regression constant. The regression
coefficients and the regression constant are obtained from
statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of
human bodies of random samples and two data of WHR values and FAT
values of the human samples. According to this visceral fat
determining device, upon input of a WHR value and a body fat ratio
FAT of the patient, an estimated value of the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA is calculated. Therefore, according to
this visceral fat determining device, in calculating the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA, the body fat ratio FAT of the
patient can be reflected in addition to the WHR of the patient.
[0041] Further, the visceral fat determining device may
comprise:
[0042] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient, height, weight
and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s of the patient;
[0043] a data processing unit capable of storing the personal data
and performing calculation of an estimated value of an abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient based on the
personal data; and
[0044] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing
unit;
[0045] wherein the data processing unit stores a fourth regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a second
regression coefficient of BMI, BMI being an index of corpulence, a
first regression coefficient of the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness s and a fourth regression constant, the regression
coefficients and the regression constant being obtained from
statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples
and respective WHR values, BMI values and abdominal subcutaneous
fat thickness values s of the human samples, the data processing
unit calculating the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR value, a BMI
value and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s of the
patient, the fourth regression coefficient of said WHR, the second
regression coefficient of said BMI, the first regression
coefficient of said abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s
and the second regression constant.
[0046] The invention of this visceral fat determining device is
based on the fact that the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA correlates with the BMI and the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness values, in addition to the WHR. The data processing unit
stores a fourth regression coefficient of the WHR, a second
regression coefficient of the BMI, a first regression coefficient
of the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and a fourth
regression constant. The regression coefficients and the regression
constant are obtained from statistical processing of correlation
between actual measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA of human bodies of random samples and three
kinds of data, namely, respective WHR values, BMI values and
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values s of the human samples.
According to this visceral fat determining device, upon input of a
WHR value, a BMI value and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness
value s of the patient, an estimated value of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA is calculated. Therefore,
according to this visceral fat determining device, in calculating
the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA, the BMI and the
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s can be reflected in addition
to the WHR of the patient.
[0047] Further, the visceral fat determining device according to
the present invention may comprise:
[0048] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient, height, weight,
sex, age and an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s of the
patient;
[0049] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
[0050] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing unit;
and
[0051] body fat ratio measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical
impedance z of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions
of the patient and for calculating a body fat ratio FAT of the
patient based on the measured bioelectrical impedance Z and the
inputted personal data or a portion thereof;
[0052] wherein the data processing unit stores a fifth regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a second
regression coefficient of body fat ratio FAT, a second regression
coefficient of the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and a
fifth regression constant, the regression coefficients and the
regression constant being obtained from statistical processing of
correlation among actual measurement values of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA measured in abdominal
tomography of human bodies of random samples, and respective WHR
values, FAT values and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values
s of the human samples, the data processing unit calculating the
estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
of the patient based on a WHR value of the patient, a FAT value and
an abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s measured by the
body fat measuring means, the fifth regression coefficient of said
WHR, the second regression coefficient of said FAT, the second
regression coefficient of said abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness
s, and the fifth regression constant.
[0053] The invention of this visceral fat determining device is
based on the fact that the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA correlates with the body fat ratio FAT and the abdominal
subcutaneous fat thickness value s in addition to the WHR. The data
processing unit stores a fifth regression coefficient of the WHR, a
second regression coefficient of the body fat ratio FAT, a second
regression coefficient of the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness
s and a fifth regression constant. The regression coefficients and
the regression constant are obtained from statistical processing of
correlation between actual measurement values of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA of human bodies of random
samples, and three kinds of data, namely respective WHR values, FAT
values and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values s of the
human samples. With the above constitution, according to this
visceral fat determining device, upon input of a WHR value, a value
of the body fat ratio FAT, a value of the abdominal subcutaneous
fat thickness value s of the patient, and an estimated value of the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA are calculated.
Therefore, according to this visceral fat determining device, in
calculating the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA, the
body fat ratio FAT and the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s
can be reflected in addition to the WHR of the patient.
[0054] Further, for those visceral fat determining device to which
the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness value s is inputted, there
may be such a constitution that calculation is made for an
abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA based on the
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and the waist size.
[0055] Further, another constitution maybe such that calculation is
made for a ratio between the estimated value of abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA and the abdominal subcutaneous fat
cross sectional area SA, of the patient.
[0056] Further, another constitution maybe such that calculation is
made for a total abdominal fat cross sectional area WA based on the
estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
and the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA, of the
patient. These visceral fat determining device capable of
calculating the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA
offers the following advantages.
[0057] Specifically, there is a recent finding about a role played
by the subcutaneous fat, that the subcutaneous fat secretes a
hormone that tends to reduce body fat. Further, there is another
finding that that the subcutaneous fat tends to reduce adverse
affect from visceral fat accumulation due to supernutrition.
Therefore, information on the abdominal subcutaneous fat and on the
ratio between the abdominal subcutaneous fat and the abdominal
visceral fat can be used as important index for assessing the
health.
[0058] There maybe another constitution other than these visceral
fat determining device which are capable of calculating the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA. Specifically, those
which do not use the body fat ratio FAT in the calculation of the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA may also be provided
with the body fat ratio measuring means, so that they also obtain
the body fat ratio FAT of the patient and the obtained body fat
ratio FAT is displayed on the display device. This constitution
allows the user to know the body fat ratio FAT in addition to the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA.
[0059] Further, the visceral fat determining device according to
the present invention may comprise:
[0060] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, and a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient;
[0061] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
[0062] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing unit;
and
[0063] impedance measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical
impedance Z of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions
of the patient and for calculation on the measured bioelectrical
impedance Z;
[0064] wherein the data processing unit stores a sixth regression
coefficient of WHR, WHR being a ratio (W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of an
abdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth H.sub.L, a first
regression coefficient of the bioelectrical impedance Z and a sixth
regression constant, the regression coefficients and the regression
constant being obtained from statistical processing of correlation
among actual measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VAmeasured in abdominal tomography of human bodies
of random samples, and respective WHR values and bioelectrical
impedance values z of the human samples, the data processing unit
calculating the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on a WHR value of the
patient, a bioelectrical impedance value Z of the patient measured
by the body fat ratio measuring means, the sixth regression
coefficient of said WHR, the first regression coefficient of said
bioelectrical impedance Z, and the sixth regression constant.
[0065] The invention of this visceral fat determining device is
based on the fact that the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA correlates with the bioelectrical impedance in addition to
the WHR. The data processing unit stores a sixth regression
coefficient of the WHR, a first regression coefficient of the
bioelectrical impedance Z and a sixth regression constant. The
regression coefficients and the regression constant are obtained
from statistical processing of correlation between actual
measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA of human bodies of random samples, and two kinds of data,
namely respective WHR values and bioelectrical impedance values Z
of the human samples. With the above constitution, according to
this visceral fat determining device, upon input of a WHR value,
and measurement of the bioelectrical impedance by the bioelectrical
impedance measuring means, an estimated value of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA is calculated. Therefore,
according to this visceral fat determining device, in calculating
the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA, the
bioelectrical impedance can be reflected in addition to the WHR of
the patient.
[0066] Further, the visceral fat determining device according to
the present invention may comprise:
[0067] input means for inputting personal data including an
abdominal girth W.sub.L which is a circumferential length of a
trunk of a patient, and a gluteal girth H.sub.L which is a
circumferential length of buttocks of the patient;
[0068] a data processing unit for storing the personal data and for
calculating an estimated value of an abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the patient based on the personal data;
[0069] a display device for displaying the personal data and a
result of the calculation performed by the data processing unit;
and
[0070] impedance measuring means for measuring a bioelectrical
impedance Z of the patient via electrodes contacted to end portions
of the patient and for calculation on the measured bioelectrical
impedance Z;
[0071] where in the data processing unit stores as even th
regression coefficient of WHR, and a first regression coefficient
of TL2/Z and a seventh regression constant, WHR being a ratio
(W.sub.L/H.sub.L) of anabdominal girth W.sub.L to an gluteal girth
H.sub.L, T.sub.L.sup.2 /Z being obtained by dividing a squared
height of a human by his bioelectrical impedance, the regression
coefficients and the regression constant being obtained from
statistical processing of correlation among actual measurement
values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
measured in abdominal tomography of human bodies of random samples,
and respective WHR values and T.sub.L.sup.2/Z values of the human
samples, the data processing unit calculating the estimated value
of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA of the patient
based on a WHR value of the patient, a bioelectrical impedance
value Z of the patient measured by the body fat ratio measuring
means, a height value T.sub.L inputted from the input means, the
seventh regression coefficient of said WHR, the first regression
coefficient of said T.sub.L.sup.2/Z, and the seventh regression
constant.
[0072] The invention of this visceral fat determining device is
based on the fact that the estimated value of an abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA correlates with T.sub.L.sup.2/Z, which
is a quotient obtained by dividing a squared height T.sub.L of a
human by his bioelectrical impedance. The data processing unit
stores a seventh regression coefficient of the WHR, and a first
regression coefficient of T.sub.L.sup.2/Z and a seventh regression
constant. The regression coefficients and the regression constant
are obtained from statistical processing of correlation of actual
measurement values of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area of human bodies of random samples with respect to two kinds of
data, namely respective WHR values and T.sub.L.sup.2/Z values of
the human samples. With the above constitution, according to this
visceral fat determining device, upon input of a height T.sub.L and
a WHR value of the patient, and measurement of the bioelectrical
impedance by the bioelectrical impedance measuring means, an
estimated value of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area
VA is calculated. Therefore, according to this visceral fat
determining device, in calculating the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA, the height T.sub.L and the bioelectrical
impedance of the patient can be reflected in addition to the WHR of
the patient.
[0073] Further, for the visceral fat determining device so far
described above, another constitution may be added. Specifically,
the calculation of the estimated value of abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA maybe performed with addition of a
correction term by age and a correction term by sex, of the
patient. According to this constitution, in calculating the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA, personal
characteristics of the patient such as the age and the sex can be
reflected. In this case, both of the age correction term and the
sex correction term may be added, or either one of the age
correction term and the sex correction term may be added.
[0074] Another possible constitution is that a plurality of ranking
levels defined by a plurality of standard values are provided in
advance for the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA, and
the estimated value of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA given by the calculation is displayed on the display device
in conformity with the ranking levels. In this way, measuring
results given as the quantitative information of the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA can be grasped visually, in
the form of ranking in graded levels. This makes easy to grasp the
obtained abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA.
[0075] Further, for those visceral fat determining device described
above, the abdominal girth W.sub.L may be provided by an abdominal
girth at the fourth lumbar vertebrae of the patient, and the
gluteal girth H.sub.L may be provided by a girth measured generally
at the thickest portion on the buttocks of the patient. By using
the waist size and hip size obtained from the above specific
portions, it becomes possible to obtain measuring results which
have the highest correlation with the state of visceral fat in the
human body.
[0076] Further, those visceral fat determining device described
above may also be provided with size measuring means for measuring
the abdominal girth WL and the gluteal girth HL. The constitution
allows the use of the size measuring means for on-demand, on-site
measurement of the waist size and the hip size at the time when the
patient wants to use the determining device, eliminating need for
inputting a waist size and hip size measured elsewhere.
[0077] Another possible constitution is that the abdominal girth
W.sub.L and the gluteal girth H.sub.L measured by the size
measuring means are inputted to the data processing unit. This
eliminates need for the patient to make an input via the input
means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0078] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of an example of a visceral
fat determining device, and FIG. 1(b) shows a display example of
the visceral fat determining device;
[0079] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of associated with a signal
processing in the visceral fat determining device;
[0080] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of procedure in a
measurement of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA;
[0081] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the example procedure of a
measurement of abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA;
[0082] FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a visceral fat determining
device provided with a dimension measuring means: and
[0083] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a visceral fat determining
device.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0084] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 6.
[0085] FIG. 1 shows a visceral fat determining device 10 as an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective
view of the visceral fat determining device 10. The visceral fat
determining device 10 is capable of obtaining visceral fat
information of the patient such as an estimated value of abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA which is a cross sectional
area of the visceral fat at the abdomen, and a total abdominal fat
cross sectional area WA including abdominal subcutaneous fat, In
addition, the determining device is provided with a built-in body
fat determining device so that the body fat ratio FAT can be
obtained.
[0086] Also, the visceral fat determining device 10 can obtain BMI
which has been used as a handy index of corpulence. The BMI is
obtained through a known formula based on the patient's height and
weight as part of personal data to be described later.
[0087] The visceral fat determining device 10 is provided with an
operation pad 7, which includes a plurality of keys for inputting
values, characters and so on. By using these keys, the personal
data which represent personal physical characteristics of the
patient can be inputted, so a large number of keys necessary for
the input of such personal data are provided. The input pad 7
represents the input means for inputting personal data.
[0088] The personal data which can be inputted into the visceral
fat determining device 10 includes; patient's height, weight, sex,
age, waist size (hereinafter may also be called "abdominal girth"),
and hip size (hereinafter may also be called "gluteal girth"). The
waist size (W.sub.L) and the hip size (H.sub.L) provide a basis for
calculating WHR, which is a ratio of the waist size (W.sub.L) to
the hip size (H.sub.L) (i.e. WHR can be obtained by dividing the
waist size by the hip size.)
[0089] The waist size should preferably be a measurement of
abdominal circumference measured at the fourth lumbar vertebrae of
the patient. Likewise, the hip size should preferably be a
circumference measured generally at the widest portion on the
buttocks of the patient. It is believed that the values measured
from the above specific portions can reflect the state of body's
visceral fat most accurately.
[0090] Further, the personal data to be inputted may include an
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s. The abdominal subcutaneous
fat thickness s can be measured by various known means such as so
called calipers and an abdominal fat determining device based on an
ultrasonic wave method.
[0091] Further, if the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s is
measured and inputted into the visceral fat determining device, the
measurement can be made at two points of the patient's body, i.e.
near the navel and above the iliac bone. Then, either one of the
measurements may be used as the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness s, or a sum of the measurements may be used, or an
average of the sum may be used also.
[0092] The input pad 7 includes a variety of keys such as selection
keys for selecting items of the personal data, and numeric keys for
inputting values. Further, the input pad 7 includes an ON/OFF
switch for turning on and off the visceral fat determining device
10, and an impedance measurement starting switch for commencing a
measurement of bioelectrical impedance Z, which will be described
later.
[0093] Further, by operating the input pad 7, a number of
measurement modes can be selected for the measurement of the
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA. In accordance with
the selected measurement mode, a corresponding measurement routine
such as a first measurement routine and a second measurement
routine is executed as will be described later.
[0094] These personal data inputted via the input pad 7, and BMI
obtained from the inputted personal data are displayed on a display
8. Display of measurement results such as the body fat ratio FAT
and values related to the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA are also made here. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of how the
display is made on the display 8.
[0095] According to the display shown in FIG. 1(b), the measured
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA is shown as ranked
in a plurality of levels. According to FIG. 1(b), those indicated
by reference numbers 8a, 8b and 8c are ranking bars showing the
ranks. Specifically, for the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA, a plurality of standard values are set forth in advance,
and the measured value of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA is compared to these standard values to determine
the rank to which the patient's abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA is classified. According to the example given in
FIG. 1(b), the display shows the measurement which is put to a rank
corresponding to the ranking bar 8b.
[0096] Further, as shown in FIG. 1(b), level indicators 8d and 8e
may be displayed. The level indicators 8d and 8e may be correlated
with specific symptoms related to the visceral fat. For example,
clinical diagnosis sometimes concludes that the patient is
corpulent if the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA
exceeds 100 cm.sup.2. Based on this, the level indicator 8e. may be
set to represent 100 cm.sup.2 of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the measuring results obtained as a
quantitative value is displayed in ranking, or displayed with
relevant information about a symptom that can be affecting the
patient. These visual presentations reflecting a level of
corpulence based on the measuring results allow easy understanding
through a visually graded scale.
[0098] Further, the visceral fat determining device 10 is provided
with a body fat ratio measuring means for measuring the body fat
ratio FAT of the patient, as will be described hereinafter.
Specifically, on the top surface of the visceral fat determining
device 10, and closer to a forward left corner, an electrode 3 is
disposed. Likewise, closer to a forward right corner, an electrode
4 is disposed. Further, on the back surface of a main body 1, and
at a portion right behind the electrode 3, an electrode 5 (not
shown) is disposed, and at a portion right behind the electrode 4,
an electrode 6 (not shown) is disposed.
[0099] These electrodes 3, 4, 5 and 6 serves as an electrode group
for measuring the bioelectrical impedance Z. The electrodes 5 and 6
serve as a pair of circuit forming electrodes for forming a path
for electric current to flow within the patient's body. The
electrodes 3 and 4 serve as a pair of voltage measurement
electrodes for measuring electric potential difference between two
points on the path.
[0100] With the above constitution, these electrodes are connected
to impedance measuring means (not shown), which is well known in
the art of body fat determining device, and incorporated in the
main body 1. Specifically, the electrodes 5 and 6 are connected to
a circuit serving as a constant current source that outputs a
constant current, whereas the electrode 3 and the electrode 4 are
connected to a circuit serving as a voltmeter.
[0101] When measuring the bioelectrical impedance Z via these
electrodes, the patient can contact for example, his left hand
thumb onto the electrode 3, and contact his left hand forefinger
onto the electrode 5. Likewise, the patient can contact his right
hand thumb onto the electrode 4, and contact his right hand
forefinger onto the electrode 6. In this way, a bioelectrical
impedance Z with the patient's hands representing the ends of the
body can be measured.
[0102] As embodied in the visceral fat determining device 10, the
constitution of the electrode 5 generally at right behind the
electrode 3, and the electrode 6 generally at right behind the
electrode 4 offers an advantage that the main body 1 can be grasped
easily, with the two fingers of each hand contacted to the
respective electrodes. The constitution enables to hold the
visceral fat determining device 10 stably in the hands and to
measure the bioelectrical impedance Z under a stable condition.
Further, the constitution allows the electrodes 3 and 5 to be
pressed generally evenly by the two respective fingers, as well as
allowing the electrodes 4 and 6 to be pressed generally evenly by
the respective two fingers, enabling to measure the bioelectrical
impedance Z more stably.
[0103] Next, reference is made to FIG. 2 to describe signal
processing blocks in the visceral fat determining device 10.
Various calculations made within the visceral fat determining
device 10 are performed by a calculation device 12 which includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 14 and the storage device 15.
[0104] The storage device 15 stores personal data inputted through
the function keys provided in the operation pad 7, and measured
values of the bioelectrical impedance Z obtained through the
electrodes 3, 4, 5 and 6. The storage device 15 also stores various
formulae, coefficients and so on necessary for obtaining the body
fat ratio FAT based on the bioelectrical impedance Z and the
personal data. Also, when the body fat ratio FAT is thus
calculated, the obtained body fat ratio FAT is stored in the
storage device 15. Still further, when a BMI value and an estimated
value of the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA are
obtained, these calculation results are also stored in the storage
device 15.
[0105] Further, the storage device 15 stores an operation
instruction routine which includes procedures for providing the
patient with necessary guidance and instructions on how to operate
the visceral fat determining device 10, measuring routines which
include calculation steps for obtaining the BMI, the body fat ratio
FAT, and the estimated value of the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA. The measuring routine includes the first
measuring routine and the second measuring routine to be detailed
later in a description of an operation example.
[0106] Still further, the storage device 15 stores the following
coefficients to be used for obtaining the estimated abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA: a first regression
coefficient a.sub.1 of WHR, a second regression coefficient a.sub.2
of WHR, a third regression coefficient a.sub.3 of WHR, a fourth
regression coefficient a.sub.4 of WHR, a fifth regression
coefficient a.sub.5 of WHR, a sixth regression coefficient a.sub.6
of WHR, a seventh regression coefficient a.sub.7 of WHR, a first
regression coefficient b.sub.1 of BMI, a second regression
coefficient b.sub.2 of BMI, a first regression coefficient d.sub.1
of the body fat ratio FAT, a second regression coefficient d.sub.2
of the body fat ratio FAT, a first regression coefficient e.sub.1
of the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s, a second regression
coefficient e.sub.2of the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s, a
first regression coefficient f.sub.1 of the bioelectrical
impedance, and a first regression coefficient g.sub.1 of
T.sub.L.sup.2/Z, a first regression constant c.sub.1, a second
regression constant c.sub.2, a third regression constant c.sub.3, a
fourth regression constant c.sub.4, a fifth regression constant
c.sub.5, a sixth regression constant c.sub.6, and a seventh
regression constant c.sub.7.
[0107] These coefficients and constants a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7,
b1, b2, c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6 c7, d1, d2, e1, e2, f1, and g1 are
obtained elsewhere, and then inputted to the visceral fat
determining device 10 for storage. These coefficients are obtained
in the following procedure. Specifically, for a mass of unspecified
individuals, measurements are made for their individual actual
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA. Measurements are
also made for the WHR, BMI, the body fat ratio FAT, and the
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s for each of the
individuals.
[0108] Correlation between WHR and the actual abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA is statistically processed, whereby
a.sub.1 and the first regression constant c.sub.1 with respect to
the WHR can be obtained. Also, correlation among WHR, BMI and the
actual abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA is
statistically processed, whereby a.sub.2 with respect to the WHR,
and b.sub.1 and the second regression constant c.sub.2 with respect
to the BMI can be obtained. Further, correlation among WHR, the
body fat ratio FAT and the actual abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA is statistically processed, whereby a.sub.3 with
respect to the WHR, and d.sub.1 and the third regression constant
c.sub.3 with respect to the body fat ratio FAT can be obtained.
[0109] Further, correlation among WHR, BMI, the abdominal
subcutaneous fat thickness s and the actual abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA is statistically processed, whereby a.sub.4
with respect to WHR, b.sub.2 with respect to BMI, e.sub.1 with
respect to the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and the
fourth regression constant c.sub.4 can be obtained. Further,
correlation of WHR, BMI, the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness
s, and the actual abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA is
statistically processed, whereby a.sub.5 with respect to the WHR,
d.sub.2 with respect to the body fat ratio FAT, e.sub.2 with
respect to the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s and the fifth
regression constant c.sub.5 can be obtained.
[0110] Further, correlation among WHR, the bioelectrical impedance
Z and the actual abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA is
statistically processed, whereby a.sub.6 with respect to WHR,
f.sub.1 with respect to the bioelectrical impedance Z and the sixth
regression constant c.sub.6 can be obtained. Further, correlation
of WHR, T.sub.L.sup.2/Z and the actual abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA is statistically processed, whereby a.sub.7 with
respect to WHR, g.sub.1 with respect to T.sub.L.sup.2/Z, and the
seventh regression constant c.sub.7 can be obtained.
[0111] In order to obtain these coefficients a, through g1,
regression analysis can be employed for the statistical processing
of the correlation between the actual abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA and individual personal data. For example, the
coefficient a, with respect to WHR, and the constant cl which can
be obtained from the correlation with a, can be obtained by single
regression analysis based on a hypothesis that the actual abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area VA is correlated only with WHR.
On the other hand, if the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA is assumed to correlate with WHR and other personal data,
each coefficient can be obtained by multiple regression
analysis.
[0112] In order to obtain the actual abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA of the unspecified people who provides sample
data, tomography is employed. The tomography can be provided by CT
scanning, MRI, ultrasonic diagnosis or any other methods capable of
performing accurate measurement of a human abdominal cross section.
In obtaining the coefficients a.sub.1 through e.sub.2, actual
number of people who provide sample data on the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA and the personal data should desirably
be not smaller than 100, in consideration that statistical
processing must be made to the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA. More desirably, the number of people should be
not smaller than 500.
[0113] In the signal processing blocks of the visceral fat
determining device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the data stored in the
storage device and measurement values described above can be
displayed on the display 8. Input and output of these data and
measurements to and from the central processing unit 14 and the
storage device 15 are performed via an input/output device (I/O)
16.
[0114] Next, an example operation of the visceral fat determining
device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. First, the
power of the visceral fat determining device 10 is turned on. When
selection is made on the operation pad 7 for the first measurement
mode, then the first measuring routine is started.
[0115] In the beginning, the personal data is inputted which is
body specific information. Namely, the height, weight, age, sex and
WHR are inputted as body specific information including and stored
(S1).
[0116] Next, a calculation is made to obtain and store BMI based on
the height and the weight inputted in step S1 (S2). Then,
bioelectrical impedance Z between the patient's hands is measured
(S3), and the measured bioelectrical impedance Z is stored. Using
the bioelectrical impedance Z and other necessary personal data,
body fat ratio FAT is calculated and stored (S4).
[0117] Next, abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA is
estimated by calculation (S5) based on WHR. Then, the obtained BMI,
the body fat ratio FAT and the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA are displayed on the display 8 (S6).
[0118] The calculation for estimating the abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area VA in step S5 is performed by using the
following formula (1):
VA=a.sub.1.multidot.WHR+c.sub.1 (1)
[0119] In the formula (1), VA represents the abdominal visceral fat
cross sectional area (Hereinafter, VA represents the abdominal
visceral fat cross sectional area.).
[0120] In step S5 shown in FIG. 3, VA is assumed to correlate only
with the patient's WHR, the coefficient a, and the constant cl are
derived on this assumption, and VA is calculated with this
coefficient, constant, and WHR. In calculating the estimated VA,
alternatively to the formula (1), one of the following formulae (2)
through (5) may be utilized:
VA=a.sub.2.multidot.WHR+b.sub.1.multidot.BMI+c.sub.2 (2)
VA=a.sub.3.multidot.WHR+d.sub.1FAT+C.sub.3 (3)
VA=a.sub.4.multidot.WHR+b.sub.2.multidot.BMI+e.sub.1.multidot.s+c.sub.4
(4)
VA=a.sub.5.multidot.WHR+d.sub.2.multidot.FAT+e.sub.2.multidot.s+c.sub.5
(5)
VA=a.sub.6.multidot.WHR+f.sub.1.multidot.Z+c.sub.6 (6)
VA=a.sub.7.multidot.WHR+g.sub.1.multidot.T.sub.L.sup.2/Z+c.sub.7
(7)
[0121] FAT used in the formulae (3) and (7) is the body fat ratio
expressed in percentage. (Hereinafter, FAT represents the body fat
ratio.) Also, the character s in the formula (4) represents the
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. Formula (2) is for a
calculation of an estimated VA based on correlation of VA with the
patient's WHR and BMI. Formula (3) is for a calculation of an
estimated VA based on correlation of VA with the patient's WHR and
FAT.
[0122] Further, Formula (4) is for a calculation of an estimated VA
based on correlation of VA with the patient's WHR, BMI and
abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness s. Likewise, Formula (5) is
for a calculation of an estimated VA based on correlation of VA
with the patient's WHR, FAT and the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness S.
[0123] Further, Formula (6) is for a calculation of an estimated VA
based on correlation of VA with the patient's WHR and bioelectrical
impedance Z. Still further, Formula (7) is for a calculation of an
estimated VA based on correlation of VA with the patient's WHR and
T.sub.L.sup.2/Z.
[0124] As will be understood from the above, Formula (1) gives VA
based only on correlation of VA with, the patient's WHR. On the
other hand, Formulae (2) through (7) give VA based on correlation
with a plurality of values from the personal data. Such a method as
in Formulae (2) through (7), of calculating the estimated VA based
on correlation with a plurality of values from the personal data
enables to obtain VA with more precise reflection of the patient's
personal physical characteristics.
[0125] In addition, each of the Formulae (1) through (7) may
include correction terms on the basis of age and sex. The age
correction term Yc is given by Formula (8), whereas the sex
correction term Xc is given by Formula (9):
Yc=-.delta..multidot.age (8)
Xc=.eta..multidot.sex (9)
[0126] In Formula (8), "age" represents the age of the patient, and
6 represents an age correction coefficient. In Formula (9), "sex"
is a variable which depends upon whether the patient is male or
female, and .eta. represents a sex correction coefficient. If these
correction terms are added to Formulae (1) through (7), these terms
are defined and treated as variable terms of the multiple
regression equation. Therefore, .delta. in Formula (8) can be
obtained as a regression variable, "age" can be obtained as a
variable, .eta. in Formula (9) can be obtained as a regression
coefficient, and "sex" can be obtained as a variable, each based on
correlation with the estimation formula for VA.
[0127] If these Formulae (1) through (7) are used with the addition
of the correction term Yc given by Formula (8) and the correction
term Xc give by Formula (9) in the calculation of VA, it becomes
possible to reflect the patient's personal physical characteristics
in terms of the age and sex more precisely. Either one or both of
the correction terms Yc and Xc may be added to any of the formulae
(1) through (7). If both of the Yc and Xc are added in the
calculation using anyone of the formulae (1)-(7), it becomes
possible to obtain the VA with more precise reflection of the
patient's personal physical characteristics.
[0128] Further, based on the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA thus obtained, an amount of the abdominal visceral fat can
be calculated as additional information on the visceral fat.
[0129] Next, another example operation of the visceral fat
determining device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
When selection is made on the operation pad 7 (FIG. 1) for the
second measurement mode, then the second measuring routine is
started. Firstly, the patient is prompted to input his waist size
or the abdominal girth (S11). Next, a calculation is made for an
abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA, and obtained
value is stored (Sl2). The calculation performed in step S12 uses
the following Formula (10):
SA=W.sub.L.multidot.s-.pi..multidot.s.sup.2 (10)
[0130] In formula (10), W.sub.L represents the abdominal girth, and
character "s" represents the abdominal subcutaneous fat
thickness.
[0131] Next, a total abdominal cross sectional area (AW) is
calculated and stored (S13). The calculation performed in step S13
uses the following Formula (11):
[0132] AW=(WL.sup.2/4.pi.) (11)
[0133] In formula (11), character .pi. represents the circular
constant pi. Further, character .zeta. represents a conversion
coefficient for a conversion between circular and oval
circumferences.
[0134] Next, based on the abdominal visceral fat cross sectional
area VA and SA obtained and stored separately, the total abdominal
cross sectional area WA is calculated and stored (S14). The
calculation performed in step S14 uses the following Formula
(12):
WA=VA+SA (12)
[0135] Next, a VSR which is a ratio between the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA and abdominal subcutaneous fat cross
sectional area SA is calculated and stored (S15). The calculation
performed in step S15 uses the following Formula (13):
VSR=VA/SA (13)
[0136] Next, a VWR which is a ratio between the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA and the total abdominal cross sectional
area WA, and a VAR which is a ratio between the abdominal visceral
fat cross sectional area VA and the total abdominal cross sectional
area (AW) are calculated and stored (S16). The calculations
performed in step S16 use Formula (14) for obtaining VWR and
Formula (15) for obtaining VAR:
VWR=VA/WA (14)
VAR=VA/AW (15)
[0137] Next, calculations are made for SWR which is a ratio between
the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA and the
total abdominal cross sectional area WA, and SAR which is a ratio
between the abdominal subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA and
the total abdominal cross sectional area (AW), and the calculated
values are stored (S17). The calculations performed in step S17 use
Formula (16) for obtaining SWR and Formula (17) for obtaining
SAR:
SWR=SA/WA (16)
SAR=SA/AW (17)
[0138] Next, obtained values of SA, VSR, VWR, VAR, SWR and SAR are
displayed on the display 8 (S18). Further, the abdominal
subcutaneous fat cross sectional area SA is ranked in a plurality
of levels and displayed on the display 8 in conformity to the
ranking (S19).
[0139] In the above description based on FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, the
personal data such as the waist size, the hip size and ratio WHR
thereof are measured elsewhere and then manually inputted using the
operation pad 7. Alternatively, however, the visceral fat
determining device may incorporate size measuring means capable of
measuring the patient's abdominal girth. FIG. 5(a) gives an example
of such a visceral fat determining device, showing a visceral fat
determining device 20 incorporating the size measuring means, in a
fragmentally transparent perspective view.
[0140] The visceral fat determining device 20 is provided with a
measuring tape 21 serving as the size measuring means, which can be
drawn in and pulled out of the main body. The measuring tape 21 has
its end provided with a pull tip 22, which can be grabbed and
pulled to draw the tape out of an pull portion 23. Further, the
measuring tape 21 can be reeled back into the main body when an
rewind button (not shown) provided in the visceral fat determining
device 20 is operated.
[0141] Further, on the sideaway from the side, on which pull
portion 23 is formed, of the visceral fat determining device 20, an
engaging portion 24 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the pull
tip 22 of the measuring tape 21 can be hooked onto the engaging
portion 24, which prevents the measuring tape 21 from slackening,
and enables to measure accurately.
[0142] With the above constitution, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when
measuring the size of a required portion, the measuring tape 21 can
be pulled out and wound around the abdomen, the hips and so on, and
then the pull tip 22 is hooked on the engaging portion 24 to read
the tape.
[0143] The waist size and the hip size measured with the measuring
tape 21 may be manually inputted via the operation pad 7.
Alternatively however, the size measured with the measuring tape 21
may be directly inputted to calculating device 12 without the
operation on the operation pad 7. In this case, size data obtained
through the measurement by the measuring tape 21 should be
processed as a digital signal, and is inputted to the data
processing unit 12 by the signal processing block shown in FIG. 2
via the input/output device (I/O) 16. Then, based on the waist size
and the hip size measured by the measuring tape 21, their ratio or
WHR is obtained by the data processing unit 12.
[0144] As exemplified by the visceral fat determining device 20, if
the size measuring means is provided so that the hip size and the
waist size can be measured on demand, the measurement can be
performed right at the time when the visceral fat cross sectional
area is to be obtained. Therefore, the abdominal visceral fat cross
sectional area VA can be obtained more accurately from the latest
hip size and the waist size.
[0145] Alternatively to the measuring tape 21, the size measuring
means may be provided by an unillustrated roller that serves as a
rolling distance determining device. Specifically, the size
measuring means can be provided by a roller, which is rolled on and
along a portion to be measured, and the travel distance of the
roller obtained from the number of roller rotations is translated
to the size. If the size measuring means is provided by such a
rolling type measurer, measuring of the waist or hips can be made
very easily by simply rolling the roller around the waist or the
hips.
[0146] The embodiments given as the visceral fat determining device
10 and the visceral fat determining device 20 are handheld
apparatuses, and the bioelectrical impedance Z in relation to the
body fat ratio FAT is-measured via the hands.
[0147] The visceral fat determining device according to the present
invention can also be embodied as incorporated in a weight scale or
body fat determining device. Specifically, a visceral fat
determining device 30 shown in FIG. 6 is incorporated integrally
with a weight scale.
[0148] According to the visceral fat determining device 30, a main
body has a top surface formed with a weight measuring surface 32,
and the weight on the weight measuring surface 32 is detected by an
load cell (not shown) provided inside the main body. The patient
stands on the weight measuring surface 32 to obtain the weight.
[0149] Further, the weight measuring surface 32 is provided with
the electrodes 33, 34, 35 and 36 for measuring the patient's
bioelectrical impedance Z. The electrodes 33 and 34 serve as a pair
of circuit forming electrodes for forming a path for electric
current to flow within the patient's body. The electrodes 35 and 36
serve as a pair of voltage measurement electrodes for measuring
electric potential difference between two points on the
circuit.
[0150] These electrodes 33, 34, 35 and 36 are, as in the-visceral
fat determining device 10 and the visceral fat determining device
20, connected to impedance measuring means which is well known in
the art of body fat determining device, so that the body's
impedance can be measured via the electrodes 33, 34, 35 and 36.
[0151] According to the visceral fat determining device 30, when
measuring the bioelectrical impedance Z, the patient stands on the
measuring surface 32, with the sole of his left foot onto
electrodes 33 and 35, and the sole of his right foot onto
electrodes 34 and 36. Through this, the patient's weight is
measured as well as his bioelectrical impedance Z, with his feet
representing the ends of the body.
[0152] The visceral fat determining device 30 is provided with the
same operation pad 7 and the display 8 as described for the
visceral fat determining device 10, as well as the dataprocessing
unit 12 that includes the central processing unit 14 and the
storage device 15.
[0153] The storage device 15 is constructed, just as described for
the visceral fat determining device 10, stores the routines, the
coefficients anddata, aswell as inputteddataandmeasurement results.
Further, signal processing is also performed in the same way as
described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0154] A note should be made however, that according to the
visceral fat determining device 30, the patient's weight detected
by the load cell which is provided inside the main body is
automatically processed as weight data, by the data processing unit
12. Further, the patient's weight as one of the personal data may
not be manually inputted from the operation pad 7, but instead the
weight data measured by the visceral fat determining device 30 can
be used.
[0155] Still further, the visceral fat determining device 30 may be
provided with the size measuring means which has been described for
the visceral fat determining device 20, so that the waist size and
hip size can be readily measured.
[0156] In the visceral fat determining device 30 described above, a
weight scale is integrally incorporated so that the patient's
weight can be measured while he is standing on the determining
device to measure the bioelectrical impedance Z via his feet and
thereby measuring the body fat ratio FAT. Alternatively however,
components providing the weight scale may not be included.
Specifically, the determining device may not be able to measure the
weight, but can measure the bioelectrical impedance Z via the feet,
and can measure the body fat ratio FAT based on the impedance Z, as
well as the above-described measurements associated with the
visceral fat.
[0157] Further, additional constitution may be made for the body
fat ratio measuring means so that impedance measurement can be
performed via both the hand and the feet as well as the
above-described measurements associated with the visceral fat can
be performed. Specifically, the body fat ratio measuring means is
arranged as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 so that the impedance
measurement can be performed, in addition to the capability of the
impedance measurement via the feet as shown in FIG. 6.
[0158] As has been described, according to the visceral fat
determining device of the present invention, the patient's
abdominal visceral fat cross sectional area VA can be obtained
easily at home for example. This offers an advantage that
information on the visceral fat which is believed to be important
with respect to various diseases can be obtained easily.
* * * * *