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The DietMate reminds users to weigh themselves in the morning and gives
menu suggestions. Users enter their food consumption into the computer,
and it subtracts the amount of fat, calories, and cholesterol from the
daily allotment. If the user has overeaten, the DietMate suggests smaller
meals throughout the day and the next day offers more suggestions.
Dr. Albert Jerome, one of the product's developers, says, "DietMate is
effective because it helps structure appropriate food choices and provides
a simple means for tracking progress." One participant in the study, federal
employee Jim Frater, lost 31 pounds in twelve weeks by using the DietMate.
He subsequently dropped 81 points from his total cholesterol level.
Jim Frater's computer tells him on the morning after a day of overeating,
"Watch your calorie intake more carefully today, Jim!" or "Choose foods
that are lower in cholesterol today, Jim!" Frater said it took about a
week to get used to the computer, then it became a part of his lifestyle.
When he reached his goal weight, the DietMate played fanfare. Since then,
Frater has maintained his weight loss.
PICS, Inc., the DietMate's developer, is best known for the LifeSign
Stop Smoking Product which helps people quit lighting up with the help of
a credit card - size computer. One million people have used the LifeSign
to stop smoking. Future studies will use computers to help people to
control hypertension and diabetes. For more information, call PICS at
1-800-543-3744 or visit their website at www.LifeSignUSA.com
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