Amidst monitors, heart-rate monitors, GPS watches and pedometers, this one seeks to transform the dining table into a full-fledged exam hall. Be mindful of eating appears to be the rule here. A research conducted by Eric Moth and Adam Hoover of Clemson University has unclocked a device called Bite Counter that keeps a tab on every morsel of food entering the mouth.
The device is supposed to be worn like a watch that observes the wrist-roll motion to comprehend if the user has taken a bite of food. It performs the role of a pedometer for eating.
“At the societal level, current weight-loss and maintenance programs are failing to make a significant impact. Studies have shown that people tend to underestimate what they eat by large margins, mostly because traditional methods rely upon self–observation and reporting. Our preliminary data suggest that bite count can be used as a proxy for caloric count,†affirmed Moth.
The Bite Counter is touted to be beneficial as it is automatic, thus eliminating user bias. Convenient to sport anywhere, the device may be an aid at restaurants and workplaces where people might not be able to manually know the calories they are consuming. Although the name suggests, it is not based on just one bite. It is apparently useful in monitoring food habits in the long run. To start the instrument, users just need to press a button before they begin eating and then another tap to indicate that the snack is over. As the person consumes food, the device will be counting the calories.
Studies conducted in the lab show that the counter is seemingly more than 90% accurate in noting down bites irrespective of the user, container, food, utensils and other factors. Presently there is data to gauge how bites relate to calorie counts. This accessory is deemed to provide information without much effort. The manufacturing process is slated to begin as soon as the prototypes are ready. They are now being tested with 20 individuals for a period of one month. It ought to store the bite-count activities in its log which will give all scientists a basis for weight loss studies.
The bite counter will be up for sale as simple consumer electronics.