Girth monitor

Abstract

A decorative, sturdy light chain having links of one or more regular sizes made of a precious metal alloy (preferably silver) and an adjustable catch is worn continuously about a person's waist Changes in girth circumference over a period are monitored through changes from an initial loose yet perceptible fit. The chain tightens noticeably as soon as the girth changes circumference, secretly warning of over-indulgence during a meal. When the position of the catch is altered, the person can celebrate a change in weight. Thus operant conditioning of the person is continuous and is supplemented whenever a milestone is reached.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A girth monitor, for use by a person of either gender for tracking one's weight (body composition) and providing the person with both immediate and long-term feedback as to weight reduction, characterised in that the girth monitor comprises a light chain made of links of a rigid material; the chain being provided at a first end with means for reversible though positive attachment of the first end onto a selected one of a plurality of links along the chain, thereby being capable in use of forming an adjustable closed loop about the waist of a person; the girth monitor being adapted to be worn in contact with the person's body for extended periods of time, and being capable in use of serving, by means of a variation of a perceived pressure under the girth monitor, to immediately indicate to that person any alterations in waist circumference and providing operant conditioning feedback.  
     
     
         2 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for reversible attachment of the first end of the light chain comprises an openable catch capable of being passed through a selected link of the chain, so that the loop formed around the person's waist can be opened from time to time and so that the circumference of the loop can be incrementally altered.  
     
     
         3 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the materials from which the chain is made, and the appearance of the girth monitor are made to be acceptable to at least the wearing person, so that the girth monitor will tend to be used over a longer period.  
     
     
         4 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 3 , characterised in that the light chain is made of links of a corrosion-resistant metal or alloy.  
     
     
         5 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 4 , characterised in that the predominant metal comprising the light chain is selected from the range of silver, gold, platinum, palladium, rhodium, rhenium, and iridium.  
     
     
         6 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 2  or in  claim 3 , characterised in that the light chain is made of a plurality of small links regularly interspersed with a lesser plurality of larger links; the larger links being capable of serving as measuring points in addition to serving a decorative function, so that the girth monitor is capable of serving as an aid in a weight management programme.  
     
     
         7 . A girth monitor as claimed in  claim 6 , characterised in that the larger links are provided with indicia capable of defining an actual length of the girth monitor as taken from the openable catch; each indicium serving as a measuring point in addition to having a decorative function, so that the girth monitor is capable of serving as an aid in a weight management programme.  
     
     
         8 . A girth monitor as claimed in any previous claim except  claim 4  and  claim 5 , characterised in that the girth monitor is comprised of a non-metallic material.  
     
     
         9 . A method for monitoring trends in the body composition of a person by means of a girth monitor as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that (a) the girth monitor is worn over an extended period, (b) a perceptible change in tightness of the girth monitor provides instant feedback of a change of weight by the person, and (c) the length of the inextensible chain may be adjusted incrementally once a change in weight appears to have become stabilised so that the range of circumferences of personal girth which may be monitored is thereby increased.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that an event of making an incremental change in circumference of the girth monitor is capable of being recognised with a ceremony thus providing further operant conditioning capable of rewarding the person for having caused their change in girth.