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Weight Loss Patent Abstract
A weight loss program can be implemented at least partially on a
Web server or other computing device. Patient data are input into
the computing device. The computing device determines a weight-loss
program, including a prescription, and provides the weight-loss
program and the prescription to a physician for review before they
are provided to the patient.
Weight Loss Patent Claims
1. A method for developing a weight-loss program, comprising: (a)
inputting patient data into a server; (b) determining automatically,
in the server, a weight-loss program including a prescription; and
(c) providing the weight-loss program and the prescription determined
in step (b) to a physician for review before they are provided to
the patient.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (d) storing, in the
server, information on the patient's progress; and (e) making the
information stored in step (d) available to the physician.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of steps (a), (c),
and (e) is performed over the Internet.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient data input in step
(a) comprise the patient's sex, weight, height and age.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the patient data input in step
(a) further comprise a medical history of the patient and an indication
of any medications that the patient is taking.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the patient data input in step
(a) further comprise physician observations about the patient.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein step (b) comprises calculating
a basal metabolic rate from the patient's sex, weight, height and
age.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the patient data input in step
(a) further comprise a percentage of body fat.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (b) comprises determining
an optimal range of percentage of body fat and a suggested number
of pounds of body fat to lose.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) further comprises determining
the prescription from the suggested number of pounds to lose and
the patient's height.
11. An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable storage
medium; and code stored on the computer-readable storage medium,
the code controlling a server to perform the following: (a) receiving
and storing an input of patient data; (b) determining automatically,
a weight-loss program including a prescription; and (c) providing
the weight-loss program and the prescription determined in step
(b) to a physician for review before they are provided to the patient.
12. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the code comprises
code for controlling the server to perform the following: (d) storing,
information on the patient's progress; and (e) making the information
stored in step (d) available to the physician.
13. The article of manufacture of claim 12, wherein the code comprises
code for controlling the server to perform at least one of steps
(a), (c), and (e) over the Internet.
14. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the patient
data input in step (a) comprise the patient's sex, weight, height
and age.
15. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the patient
data input in step (a) further comprise a medical history of the
patient and an indication of any medications that the patient is
taking.
16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the patient
data input in step (a) further comprise physician observations about
the patient.
17. The article of manufacture of claim 14, wherein the code controls
the server to perform step (b) by calculating a basal metabolic
rate from the patient's sex, weight, height and age.
18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the patient
data input in step (a) further comprise a percentage of body fat.
19. The article of manufacture of claim 18, wherein the code controls
the server to perform step (b) further by determining an optimal
range of percentage of body fat and a suggested number of pounds
of body fat to lose.
20. The article of manufacture of claim 19, wherein the code controls
the server to perform step (b) further by comprises determining
the prescription from the suggested number of pounds to lose and
the patient's height.
21. A computing system for developing a weight-loss program, comprising
a server for (a) inputting patient data into a server and (b) determining
automatically, in the server, a weight-loss program including a
prescription; and a communication device, in communication with
the server, for (c) providing the weight-loss program and the prescription
determined in step (b) to a physician for review before they are
provided to the patient.
22. The computing system of claim 21, wherein: the server stores
information on the patient's progress; and the communication device
makes the information stored in step (d) available to the physician.
23. The computing system of claim 22, wherein the communication
device comprises a device for communication over the Internet.
24. The computing system of claim 21, wherein the patient data
input in step (a) comprise the patient's sex, weight, height and
age.
25. The computing system of claim 24, wherein the patient data
input in step (a) further comprise a medical history of the patient
and an indication of any medications that the patient is taking.
26. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the patient data
input in step (a) further comprise physician observations about
the patient.
27. The computing system of claim 24, wherein the server performs
step (b) by calculating a basal metabolic rate from the patient's
sex, weight, height and age.
28. The computing system of claim 27, wherein the patient data
input in step (a) further comprise a percentage of body fat.
29. The computing system of claim 28, wherein the server performs
step (b) by determining an optimal range of percentage of body fat
and a suggested number of pounds of body fat to lose.
30. The computing system of claim 29, wherein the server performs
step (b) further by determining the prescription from the suggested
number of pounds to lose and the patient's height.
Weight Loss Patent Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/638,106, filed Dec. 23, 2004, whose disclosure
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present
disclosure.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a method for developing
a weight-loss program in which at least part of the method is performed
automatically on a Web server or other computing device.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] In the context of physical health, weight loss is the process
of losing body weight, typically by losing fat. To achieve weight
loss, more calories must be expended than taken in. This can be
achieved by reducing the amount of food consumed, increasing physical
activity or a combination of the two. For healthy weight loss, most
experts recommend a combination of healthy eating patterns and regular
physical exercise.
[0004] However, an improperly prepared program of weight loss can
have risks. For example, yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling,
is a repeated loss and gain of body weight due to excessive dieting.
The dieter is initially successful in the pursuit of weight loss
but is unsuccessful in maintaining the loss long-term and begins
to gain the weight back. The dieter then seeks to lose the regained
weight, and the cycle begins again. Also, fad diets can be ineffective
or even dangerous.
[0005] To avoid the above risks, a physician should typically prepare
a weigh-loss program customized for a specific patient. However,
it can be difficult for a physician to do so entirely manually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
technique for preparing a weight-loss program that is at least partially
automated.
[0007] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention
is directed to a technique for preparing a weight-loss program that
can be implemented at least partially on a Web server or other computing
device, which is preferably operated by a company that provides
the program (hereafter known as "the service"). Patient
data are input into the computing device. The computing device determines
a weight-loss program, including a prescription, and provides the
weight-loss program and the prescription to a physician for review
before they are provided to the patient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
set forth in detail with respect to the drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a high-level flow chart showing an overview of
the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram showing a system on
which the preferred embodiment can be invented; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a high-level block diagram showing the interactions
between the employee's computers and the servers in the system of
FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] A preferred embodiment will be set forth in detail with
reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer
to like elements or steps throughout.
[0013] An overview of the process is shown in FIG. 1. In step 102,
the patient data are input into a processing device. In step 104,
the weight loss plan is automatically calculated from the data input
in step 102. In step 106, the weight loss plan determined in step
104 is reviewed by a physician.
[0014] An overview of a system on which the process of FIG. 1 can
be implemented is shown in FIG. 2 as 200. The processing device
mentioned above can be implemented as one or more servers 202, which
host a Web site on which the preferred embodiment is implemented.
That site and associated functionality will be described below.
The servers 202 are accessible to employees of the service locally
over a local area network 204 and employee computers 206. The servers
202 are also accessible to patients and physicians over the Internet
208, patients' computers 210, and physicians' computers 212.
[0015] The servers 202 run software for performing the functionality
to be described below. The software can be supplied on a permanent
storage medium (tape, disk, etc.) 214 or in any other suitable manner.
[0016] The interaction between the servers 202 and the employee's
computers 206 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0017] Once an employee logs in, they are able, in step 302, to
see reminders of clients that they need to contact that day and
they are able to pull up a list of all of the clients that have
been assigned to them. With security levels, the employees are only
able to see what have been assigned to them.
[0018] In step 304, they can pull up the client screen that includes
all of the database fields. This screen also includes a document
upload feature and a cut and paste feature. An illustrative (but
not limiting) example of a database that can be used in the preferred
embodiment is ACT!.
[0019] The document upload process in step 306 allows an employee
to upload any sort of document to the database--original TIFF enrollment
forms, other documents (such as the patient package Word document)
and, in some embodiments, sound files, and retrieve them later in
their original format. Administration can update and delete these
files as needed.
[0020] The cut and paste process in step 308 allows an employee
to paste in text and save it to the database with a date and description.
Administration is also able to update and delete these files.
[0021] The servers 202 also display, in step 310, a set of screens
for the physicians/sales prospects and integrate them into the system.
Once a physician has been "sold," that physician's status
is changed, and that physician is available as the physician for
clients.
[0022] Also, the system has security measures 312 that restrict
certain screens or fields to members of one security group or another.
The system itself is password protected.
[0023] The site is integrated with a credit-card service such as
Quick Commerce Pro to provide credit-card validation 314. Once the
customer and credit card fields are filled out, the processor checks
and responds with "Approved" or "Declined."
[0024] The site is integrated with an OCR software package that
specializes in performing optical character recognition on handwritten
forms in step 316.
[0025] The site is integrated with ActivePDF Toolkit. It uses the
SQL data to create a dynamic PDF file in step 318. Any other suitable
tool can be used instead.
[0026] Once the initial data entry is finished on the client forms,
the calculations happen automatically in step 320 and go into the
proper form fields. The calculations will be described in detail
below.
[0027] An expanded version of the explanation of the preferred
embodiment given above with reference to FIG. 1 will now be given.
[0028] The patient enrolls in the physician's office upon the recommendation
of the physician.
[0029] The patient receives the patient information book
[0030] The service acquires the patient data (medical history,
medications, etc) either on paper forms or electronically. The last
page of the data is a medical formal report that is completed by
the physician. This insures that the data are accurate and include
all medications, dosages, medical history and physician observations.
[0031] The patient data then go to data entry if not already in
the system (because the certified physician has a terminal).
[0032] Upon receipt of the data, the patient care department (known
in retail as customer service) calls and e-mails the patient to
"welcome" them and let them know the approximate time
it will take before they receive their materials and prescriptions.
They will answer simple non medical questions on over all program
information and make the patient feel comfortable and confident.
[0033] The data are processed using the software (described below)
to assist the medical team in creating a plan for that patient.
[0034] The first part of the plan includes a written prescription
recommendation for medications and/or non-stimulant natural substances,
and the decision is made by the service's team of physicians. This
prescription is faxed or e-mailed to physicians for their signature
indicating approval of the recommendation. It is at this juncture
that the physician has the ability to agree with or disagree with
the recommendation. The recommendation is typically accepted, since
the service's staff physician reviews each patient's chart.
[0035] The patient's physician signs the prescription, and then
a staff member faxes this to the service. At that point it is reviewed
again and then sent along to a pharmacy to be filled and sent (a
prescription requires the patient's signature to be delivered) to
the patient.
[0036] Concurrently, the second part of the plan is created by
the counseling department. This becomes a document that is sent
to the patient. This patient plan includes but is not limited to:
welcoming and directive information along with counselor assignment;
a custom menu; a custom snack list; a proprietary software produced
body composition analysis along with a recommendation for changes
and projected results; the parameters of an exercise program; and
counseling instructions and contact information.
[0037] While this is occurring, the counseling team is briefed
as to the patient's needs and assignments discussed. The counselor
assignment is determined by four factors: medical condition, amount
of weight to lose, physician observations regarding mental state
of the patient and geographic area.
[0038] Once connected with their counselors, the patient is instructed
to make their 1 month appointment with the physician's office. At
that visit, with the physician or staff, the patient will be weighed,
measured, body fat calculated, blood pressure, resting heart rate
and overall well being. This is to be faxed or downloaded to the
site. Between the service's counseling team and the physician or
staff, the patient is well cared for in all aspects of their weight
loss and maintenance.
[0039] Once the patient has connected with his/her counselor they
enter a two phase counseling process.
[0040] Phase One--Initial counseling which includes but is not
limited to: Web based interactive training including documents and
questionnaires; an initial counseling call to be certain the patient
is comfortable with the plan; and assignment of an e-mail counselor
if possible.
[0041] Phase Two--Weekly phone counseling (more if necessary);
daily (7 days a week) e-mail counseling
[0042] Lastly, the service works with the physicians and patients
in a web based data base. Access to this base will allow the physician
to review all interactions between the service and the patient.
The physician is able to see their progress reports, interactive
e mail which includes daily menus and notes between the service
and the patient. The physician will be able to check on the patient's
progress at any time of day or night.
[0043] The physician certification process will now be described.
[0044] Physicians can be contacted to introduce the program by
various methods, which will be familiar to those skilled in the
art. Once a physician is accepted as a certifiable providing physician,
the following process will include, but is not limited to, the following.
[0045] The physician (or practice) will sign a contract defining
their responsibilities and the service's responsibilities to them
and their patients. This must be returned to the service to start
the process.
[0046] Each physician in the practice (if more than one) will need
to submit his/her DEA number, expiration date and the first page
of their malpractice insurance for the service's records. That information
is sent to the pharmacy for their records.
[0047] The pharmacy will check each prescription, its signature
and the DEA number. The recommendations produced by the service
for the prescription must be signed by a certified physician or
PA registered with the service and the pharmacy. This process is
defined above in the enrollment process.
[0048] The service will then send via mail the start up package,
which includes all the tools the physician (practice) needs to start
enrolling patients. This package will include, but is not limited
to: a welcome letter and directives; a provider manual (a step-by-step
guide to implementation); a master copy of the enrollment, re-enrollment
and other forms; ten patient information books (which includes data
acquisition info); brochures and marketing materials; one each of
all supplements that the service manufactures or provides for their
inspection; and signs (wall signs for their office--a set of 4).
[0049] The physician or practice will be contacted and encouraged
to set up an "in-service" training with the counseling
department, the physician[s] and their selected staff. This training
is done via `speaker-phone` and can be up to two hours.
[0050] The physician (practice) will arrange for a phone conference
with one of the service's in-house physicians to offer training
on the pharmaceuticals and herbaceuticals that the service will
potentially recommend for their patients. Many physicians do not
require this step.
[0051] The physician (practice) must then submit their patient
list on labels to enable the service's marketing team to prepare
for the first `direct mailing` to their patient base announcing
the certification and the program. The physician may actively participate
in the creation of the mailings to their patients. In the event
they do not wish to do so, the service will prepare those letters
for their review and editing.
[0052] A working website, which can be implemented on the servers
202, will now be described. The working website was developed to
allow the service's medical team, its counseling team, its staff,
its executive officers and its providing physicians to quickly add,
review and/or document and verify information regarding a patient
from anywhere in the world, any time of day or night. This site
was developed for inner office use and is not connected in any way
to the `public` site where patients visit to review the potential
of the program and enrolled patients go to access the interactive
counseling program.
[0053] The site does the following; however, it is not limited
to the following tasks.
[0054] The site receives data, manually and electronically (e.g.,
MS Word format). It can use a signature pad so that the service
can maintain an exact copy of patient signatures on forms that specifically
require that degree of documentation.
[0055] The site processes patient credit card, debit card and check
payments electronically and deposits the payments to the service's
financial institutions.
[0056] The site creates payment reports to vendors and patients
to expedite bookkeeping and accounting.
[0057] The site searches and sorts data to create reports.
[0058] The site performs the following calculations based in input
data. Body analysis data are calculated, based on enrollment data,
and include: body mass ratio, pounds of lean muscle mass, percentage
of body fat and an optimal range for the specific individual of
that percentage, pounds of body fat and an optimal range of body
fat for that specific individual, and suggested pounds of body fat
to lose.
[0059] A body analysis is also performed, including the following.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories burned by the
patient's lean body mass in a 24 hour period at complete rest. Specific
Dynamic Action of Foods (SDA) is the number of calories required
to process and utilize consumed foods. Resting Energy Expenditure
(REE) is the sum of BMR and SDA and represents the number of calories
that the patient's body requires in a 24 hour period at complete
rest. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is the approximate number
of calories burned by the patient's body during normal daily activities.
Calories Burned by Exercise is the number of calories burned by
the exercises selected by the patient. Also included, is the level
and intensity of the patient's activities. Total Caloric Requirements
are the total intake of calories required by the patient. Program
Recommendation Total Caloric Intake is a calculated value of the
caloric supplement required to achieve weight loss of approximately
2 pounds per week.
[0060] The site makes the following recommendations based on the
data. Medications or non stimulating substances to assist in weight
loss are recommended. Patient types (medical or non medical) are
defined in accordance with that recommendation.
[0061] In certain cases, the site rejects the use of appetite suppressants
and provides a notification that the patient must be reviewed manually
by the service's staff medical doctors. Medical conditions, medications
and other conditions will "red flag" the patient so that
the patient's chart must be manually reviewed. Examples include
renal disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
[0062] The recommendations further include dosages of the above
substance, physical activity to achieve the goal (body fat loss
or gain), a metabolic menu based on data provided by patients (food
dislikes and sensitivities), proteins (to achieve goal), carbohydrates
and fats.
[0063] The site prepares a patient plan based on the data. A 10-14
page letter is prepared, including the following: a welcome message,
counseling assignment, personal instructions, a menu, a snack list,
an exercise physiology report and recommendation, counseling instructions,
e-mail counseling directions, and other directions specific to the
patient's needs. The site prints that patient plan and has the capability
to print envelopes for conventional mail and to send e-mail to the
patient.
[0064] The site has manual (print, fill out and fax) and electronic
enrollment forms, which can be downloaded by the patient (e.g.,
in Adobe Acrobat format).
[0065] The site stores correspondence, notes, and other information
in persistent storage. Ongoing notes can be created and continually
updated to quickly review this correspondence with a patient and
their counselor weekly. The site stores e mail correspondence between
patient, counselor, doctor and significant others.
[0066] The site just described is used in the following manner.
[0067] The data from the providing physician are electronically
sent to the site or manually entered once the patient is enrolled
in the program. From the point of data entry the work on the site
proceeds in the following manner.
[0068] The data entry department reviews the entry to be certain
all the data are entered properly. This forms an electronic chart
on the patient. If not, the missing data are posted so that the
team is able to locate the data. All faxed or hard copies of charts
are stored in the electronic chart.
[0069] The accounting staff processes the patient payment through
the site; the payment is electronically transferred to a financial
institution. This happens before any other work is complete. The
site is able to process checks, credit or debit cards and other
forms of payment such as money orders.
[0070] The medical team is then alerted that there is a new patient
to review. That review is completed as the data are run through
the software which will enable the medical team to see the approximate
parameters of the patient's body composition along with the patient's
complete medical history including their medications and present
condition. The site provides the medical team with the providing
physician's observations as well. The site allows the doctor to
work from anywhere in the world via the Internet.
[0071] The recommendation for medication and or supplements is
then provided by the site, using software formulas detailed below.
[0072] In the event the patient has extensive or contraindicating
medical history or information, a red flag will come up by the software
to alert the medical team that the patient must be reviewed manually.
It also blocks the software from creating recommendations without
a manual override. This part of the software was built by adding
all contraindicating conditions and medications so as to safeguard
the patient. If there is no such condition, the medical team then
will approve the patient to be packaged by the rest of the team.
[0073] Once alerted via the site, the counseling team takes over
to create the rest of the patient's plan. They software will create
the menu, the snack list, and the parameters of the exercise program
along with several custom recommendations for that patient. Each
patient is reviewed individually by a live person, and the balance
of the plan is completed.
[0074] Reorder forms are electronically part of the site so that
a counselor may enter a reorder (money and all) at any time.
[0075] Electronic searching ability allows a staff member to search
and sort from various categories.
[0076] The site also has the ability to create an accounting (for
payments) for the compensation of the providing physicians, vendors,
and the pharmacy to create a report showing the money owed to the
pharmacy for each patient's prescription.
[0077] Another feature of the present invention, at least in a
preferred embodiment, is that once a patient's data are complete
and after the software has operated on those data, a cardiologist
looks at the data. The cardiologist can be provided not only with
a text report, but also with the patient's EKG converted from fax
to an e-mail format (e.g., TIFF or JPEG).
[0078] The software uses the following formulas:
[0079] Caloric Energy Equation
[0080] BMR--Basal Metabolic Rate--the amount of energy your body
needs to function at rest.
[0081] The site uses the Harris-Benedict formula: Adult male: 66+(6.3.times.body
weight in lbs)+(12.9.times.height in inches)-(6.8.times.age in years)
Adult female: 655+(4.3.times.weight in lbs)+(4.7.times.height in
inches)-(4.7.times.age in years)
[0082] *Ex: 1426
[0083] SDA--Specific Dynamic Action of Foods--the number of calories
required to process and utilize consumed foods
[0084] 10% of the BMR
[0085] Ex: 142
[0086] REE--Resting Energy Expenditure--# of calories your body
requires in a 24 hour period at complete rest
[0087] Sum of BMR and SDA
[0088] Ex: 1568
[0089] ADL--Activities of Daily Living--approximate # calories
you burn during normal day activities
[0090] 20% of REE
[0091] Ex: 313
[0092] * the above example is taken from a female, 20 years old,
5'6'' in height and 140 lbs.
[0093] Personal Body Composition Analysis
[0094] BMR: see above formula
[0095] Percentage of body fat--done at the doctor's office with
machine
[0096] **Ex: 23%
[0097] The optimal range of percent of Body Fat:
[0098] adult male: 10-18%
[0099] adult male above the age of 55: 10-22%
[0100] adult female non-menopausal: 18-25%
[0101] Ex: 18-25%
[0102] adult female menopausal: 18-28%
[0103] Pounds of Body fat: total current body weight.times.percentage
of body fat
[0104] Ex: 32.2 lbs
[0105] The desired range of pounds Body Fat: total current body
weight.times.the optimal range of percent Body Fat
[0106] Ex: 25-35
[0107] Pounds of Lean Muscle Mass: total current body weight-(minus)
pounds of Body Fat
[0108] Ex: 107.8
[0109] Suggested pounds of Body Fat to lose: current pounds of
Body Fat-(minus) desired range of pounds of Body Fat.
[0110] Ex: 2.8-7.2
[0111] **The numbers above are an example taken from an adult female
(non-menopausal) who weighs 140 lbs and has 23% Body Fat.
[0112] Target Heart Rate
[0113] MHR--Maximum Target Heart Rate
[0114] Male:
[0115] 220--age (Non-Athletic)
[0116] 205--age/2 (Fit)
[0117] Female:
[0118] 226--age (Non-Athletic)
[0119] 211--age/2 (Fit)
[0120] ***Ex: 190
[0121] THR--Target Heart Rate
[0122] THR range of 60% to 85% of your MHR is recommended for improving
heart lung endurance and burn fat (exceeding 20 minutes of exercise)
[0123] Ex: 114-161 bpm (beats per minute)
[0124] *** Example taken from a female 30 years old, non-athletic
[0125] Diethylpropion is prescribed in the following quantities:
[0126] 1/2 tab at 11 am and 1/2 tab at 5 .mu.m--heights up to 5'
or weight loss of less than 10 lbs.
[0127] 1 tab at 11 am and .+-.2 tab at 5 .mu.m--heights between
5'1'' and 5'3'' or weight loss between 10-18 lbs, who feel hungrier
in the mornings and afternoons.
[0128] 1/2 tab at 11 am and 1 tab at 5 .mu.m--heights between 5'1''
and 5'3'' or weight loss between 10-18 lbs, who feel hungrier in
the evenings and night.
[0129] 1 tab at 11 am and 1 tab at 5 .mu.m--heights between 5'4''
and 5'7'' or weight loss between 19-30 lbs.
[0130] 11/2 tabs at 11 am and 1 tab at 5 .mu.m--heights between
5'7'' and 5'9'' or weight loss between 30-50 lbs, who feel hungrier
in the am or afternoon.
[0131] 1 tab at 11 am and 11/2 tabs at 5 .mu.m--heights between
5'7'' and 5'9'' or weight loss between 30-501 bus, who feel hungrier
in the evening or night.
[0132] 11/2 tabs at 11 am and 11/2 tabs at 5 .mu.m--heights between
5'7'' and 5'9'' or weight loss between 30-50 lbs. For pts that feel
hungry at all times
[0133] 2 tabs at 11 am and 2 tabs at 5 .mu.m--heights above 5'9''
or weight loss of more than 50 lbs.
[0134] The amount of weight to lose supersedes height in determining
the amount to prescribe.
[0135] While a preferred embodiment has been set forth above, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments
can be realized within the scope of the invention. For example,
numerical examples are illustrative rather than limiting, as are
mentions of specific software products, file formats, and medications.
Therefore, the present invention should be construed as limited
only by the appended claims. |