Nutrient intake calculation system, nutrient intake calculation method, and computer program

Abstract

To reduce the burden of input by a user more than before when calculating an intake amount of a nutrient component which is energy or nutrient.SOLUTION: An evaluation server 2 acquires an answer of a user P1 to a question for each of a plurality of classifications which divides a plurality of foods into multiple pieces from a terminal device 3. An amount of eating and drinking, which is the amount of each of the plurality of foods eaten and drunk by the user P1, is calculated on the basis of the acquired answer. An intake amount of a nutrient component is calculated on the basis of the content of the nutrient component of each of the plurality of foods and the calculated amount of eating and drinking of each of the plurality of foods.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for calculating the amount of nutrients ingested by an individual. [Background technology]

[0002] A system called the DHQ (self-administered diet history questionnaire) has been proposed. According to the DHQ, an individual's intake of various nutrients can be calculated by analyzing the individual's responses to questions about the frequency of intake of various foods and eating behavior using a dedicated nutritional value calculation program (Non-Patent Document 1). The individual may be healthy or have a disease. The calculation results can be used by the individual for their own nutritional management, or by professionals such as doctors, registered dietitians, or nutritionists to provide dietary advice to the individual.

[0003] Furthermore, a system called the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) has been proposed. Similar to the DHQ, the FFQ allows for the calculation of an individual's intake of various nutrients based on answers to various questions (Non-Patent Document 2).

[0004] In recent years, the widespread use of smartphones and various applications has enabled many users to easily access a variety of services. For example, applications that receive data from body composition monitors have become widespread, allowing users to receive services that record weight, body fat percentage, and the like. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] EBNJAPAN website, URL "http: / / www.ebnjapan.org / ", retrieved September 28, 2020 [Non-patent document 2] National Cancer Center, Social and Health Research Center, Prevention Research Group, website: "Validation Study of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) among Cancer Prevention and Screening Research Center Screening Participants," URL: https: / / epi.ncc.go.jp / mstudy / 133 / 206.html, accessed September 28, 2020. [Non-patent document 3] OMRON connect website, URL "https: / / www.omronconnect.com / jp / ja_def / ", retrieved September 28, 2020 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, the DHQ and FFQ allow for the calculation of an individual's intake of various nutrients.

[0007] However, the DHQ takes approximately 40 minutes to answer each question. Its shortened version, the BDHQ, takes approximately 15 minutes, and the FFQ takes 20-30 minutes. In other words, conventional systems such as the DHQ and FFQ place a heavy burden on individuals when answering questions. Therefore, even though there are applications that display the calculation results, they are not widely used in daily health and nutrition management for individual users.

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to reduce the input burden on the user when calculating nutrient intakes compared to conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The nutritional component intake calculation system according to one embodiment of the present invention calculates the nutritional components, such as energy or nutrients, of each of a plurality of foods. minutes Calculate the intake, which is the amount consumed by the subject. 、 An intake calculation system, Complex A predetermined number of categories that divide a number of foods into one or more categories a first overall eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks a first category of foods, a first unit eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of a specific food among the foods belonging to the first category eaten in one meal or in one day, and a first individual eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks other foods that are foods other than the specific food among the foods belonging to the first category;The amount eaten or drunk by the subject First The amount of food and drink a second intake amount, which is the amount of each of the other foods eaten by the subject, is calculated based on the product of the first individual intake frequency of the other foods, the first unit intake amount, and a predetermined constant for the other foods, Calculate 、 An eating and drinking amount calculation means; The nutritional components of the specific food Content and The first Based on the amount of food and drink consumed The specific food Calculate the intake amount and calculating the intake amount of each of the other foods based on the content rate of the nutritional component of each of the other foods and the second intake amount. and an intake calculation means for calculating the intake amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the input burden on the user when calculating the intake of energy or nutrients, i.e., nutritional components, can be reduced compared to conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a nutritional evaluation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an evaluation server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an evaluation server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of a user-specific information table, a basic physical information table, a lifestyle information table, and a dietary intake information table. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating examples of a new registration screen, a basic physical information registration screen, and a question screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of questions regarding health, etc. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of question items regarding meals. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a question screen. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of a body score table and a situation score table. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an average nutritional amount table. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an advice table. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of a physical health assessment table and a nutritional intake table. [Figure 20] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of a physical evaluation screen, a nutritional intake screen, and an advice screen. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of an evaluation program. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of question items regarding meals. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of combinations of diet-related question content, options, and parameter values. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an average nutritional amount table. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a question screen. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an average nutritional amount table. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a question screen. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a question screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Overall structure] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nutritional evaluation support system 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an evaluation server 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the evaluation server 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 3.

[0013] The nutritional evaluation support system 1 shown in Figure 1 is a system for evaluating the nutritional state of a user. Various people can use the nutritional evaluation support system 1 regardless of attributes such as the presence or absence of disease, age, or gender. The nutritional evaluation support system 1 is composed of an evaluation server 2, multiple terminal devices 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, ...), a communication line 4, etc.

[0014] The assessment server 2 and the terminal device 3 can exchange data via a communication line 4. As the communication line 4, the Internet, a public line, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like can be used.

[0015] The assessment server 2 evaluates the user's nutritional status based on the user's answers to predetermined questions and provides advice to the user. A personal computer, a workstation, a cloud server, or the like is used as the assessment server 2. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where a personal computer is used as the assessment server 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the evaluation server 2 is composed of a processor 20, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a network adapter 24, a keyboard 25, a pointing device 26, a display 27, and the like.

[0017] The ROM 22 or auxiliary storage device 23 stores computer programs such as an operating system and an evaluation program 2P. The evaluation program 2P is a program for realizing functions such as a user data storage unit 201, an evaluation information storage unit 202, a new user registration unit 203, a basic body information reception unit 204, a lifestyle information reception unit 205, a dietary intake information reception unit 206, a physical health evaluation unit 281, a body evaluation data transmission unit 282, a nutritional intake amount calculation unit 283, a nutritional intake amount data transmission unit 284, an advice statement generation unit 285, an advice data transmission unit 286, and a result data storage unit 287, all of which are shown in Fig. 3. A hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used as the auxiliary storage device 23.

[0018] The RAM 21 is the main memory of the assessment server 2. Computer programs such as the assessment program 2P are loaded into the RAM 21 as needed.

[0019] The processor 20 is a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a computer program loaded into a RAM 21 .

[0020] The network adapter 24 communicates with the terminal device 3 or devices such as a web server using protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). As the network adapter 24, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a communication device for Wi-Fi is used.

[0021] The keyboard 25 and the pointing device 26 are input devices that allow the operator to input commands, information, and the like.

[0022] The display 27 displays a screen for inputting commands or data, a screen showing the results of calculations performed by the processor 20, and the like.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the terminal device 3 is a device on which a user answers questions and checks an assessment. A tablet computer, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like is used as the terminal device 3. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where a smartphone is used as the terminal device 3.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 3 is composed of a processor 30, RAM 31, ROM 32, flash memory 33, touch panel display 34, network card 35, audio processing unit 36, mobile phone communication unit 37, digital camera 38, and the like.

[0025] In addition to the operating system, computer programs such as a client program 3P are stored in the ROM 32 or the flash memory 33. The client program 3P is a program for realizing functions such as a fixed information providing unit 301, a basic body information providing unit 302, a lifestyle information providing unit 303, a dietary intake information providing unit 304, a body evaluation presenting unit 305, a nutritional intake presenting unit 306, an advice presenting unit 307, and a user data storage unit 308 shown in FIG.

[0026] The client program 3P is downloaded from an application server on the Internet to the terminal device 3 and installed in the flash memory 33 by an installer. The installer may be downloaded from the application server together with the client program 3P, or may be prepared in the ROM 32 or the flash memory 33 in advance.

[0027] The RAM 31 is the main memory of the terminal device 3. Computer programs such as the client program 3P are loaded into the RAM 31 as needed. The processor 30 executes the computer programs loaded into the RAM 31.

[0028] The touch panel display 34 is configured by a touch panel for the user to input commands or information, a display for displaying a screen, and the like.

[0029] The network card 35 communicates with devices such as the assessment server 2 using protocols such as TCP / IP. As the network card 35, a communication device for Wi-Fi is used.

[0030] The audio processing unit 36 ​​is composed of an audio processing device, a microphone, a speaker, etc. Audio captured by the microphone is encoded into audio data by the audio processing device, audio data transmitted from other devices is decoded into audio by the audio processing device, and the audio is reproduced by the speaker.

[0031] The mobile phone communication unit 37 communicates via a so-called mobile phone network. The digital camera 38 takes a picture of a subject and generates image data of the subject.

[0032] Assessment services relating to nutrition and the like are provided to users through the functions shown in Figures 3 and 5. These functions will be described below.

[0033] [Data registration and management] [User Data] Fig. 6 shows examples of a user-specific information table 501, a basic body information table 502, a lifestyle information table 503, and a dietary intake information table 504. Fig. 7 shows examples of a new registration screen 61, a first basic body information registration screen 62A, a second basic body information registration screen 62B, and a question screen 63. Fig. 8 shows examples of questions about health, etc. Fig. 9 shows examples of question items about diet. Figs. 10 to 14 show examples of combinations of content, options, and parameter values ​​of questions about diet. Fig. 15 shows examples of question screens 64 to 67.

[0034] The user data storage unit 201 (see FIG. 3) of the assessment server 2 stores, for each user, a set of a user specific information table 501, a basic body information table 502, a lifestyle information table 503, and a dietary intake information table 504 as shown in FIG.

[0035] 6(A), the user specific information table 501 shows fixed information such as the user's name, gender, and date of birth. The user specific information table 501 also corresponds to a membership code for identifying the user to which it is assigned. For example, the user specific information table 501 for a certain user P1 is generated as follows:

[0036] The user P1 starts the client program 3P on the terminal device 3a, which is the user's own terminal device 3, and inputs a new registration command into the terminal device 3a. Note that a family member or a caregiver may input the command instead of the user P1 himself. The same applies below.

[0037] Then, in the terminal device 3a, the fixed information providing unit 301 (see FIG. 5) executes the process for providing the fixed information of the user P1 to the assessment server 2 as follows.

[0038] The fixed information providing unit 301 displays a new registration screen 61 as shown in FIG. 7A on the touch panel display 34. Here, the user P1 enters his / her own name, gender, and date of birth in text boxes 611, 612, and 613, respectively. Then, when the user P1 presses the registration button 614, the fixed information providing unit 301 transmits fixed data 71 indicating the entered name, gender, and date of birth to the assessments server 2.

[0039] In the assessment server 2, when the new user registration unit 203 receives the fixed data 71 from the terminal device 3a, it issues a unique membership code for the user P1 and creates a new set of a user specific information table 501, a basic physical information table 502, a lifestyle information table 503, and a dietary intake information table 504 for the user P1, and stores these in the user data storage unit 201. At this time, the issued membership code is associated with all four tables. Furthermore, the name, sex, and date of birth indicated in the fixed data 71 are written into the user specific information table 501. At this point, the basic physical information table 502, the lifestyle information table 503, and the dietary intake information table 504 are empty.

[0040] Then, the new user registration unit 203 transmits the membership code data 72 indicating the issued membership code to the terminal device 3a.

[0041] In the terminal device 3a, the member code data 72 is stored in the user data storage unit 308. In the user data storage unit 308, fixed data 71 is also stored.

[0042] In principle, information needs to be registered in the user specific information table 501 only when the user uses the evaluation service for the first time.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6(B), the basic physical information table 502 shows basic physical information about the user, such as the user's height and weight. If the user has a disease, the disease is also shown. If a doctor, registered dietitian, nutritionist, or other specialist has instructed the user on a daily target or limit for intake of energy (calories), protein, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "target intake"), the target intake for each is also shown.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 6(C), lifestyle information table 503 displays answers to predetermined questions (described below) as information about the user's recent lifestyle. In this embodiment, three age categories are defined: "7 to 16 years old," "17 to 64 years old," and "65 years old and over." Lifestyle information table 503 also displays the age category to which the user belongs at the time of answering the questions. Hereinafter, the age categories of "7 to 16 years old," "17 to 64 years old," and "65 years old and over" will be referred to as "school age," "adulthood," and "elderly age," respectively.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(D), the dietary intake information table 504 shows answers to predetermined questions, which will be described later, as information relating to the amount of food and drink (intake) of the user's recent meals.

[0046] In principle, information is registered in the basic physical information table 502, the lifestyle information table 503, and the dietary intake information table 504 each time a user uses the evaluated service. Here, the process of registering information in the basic physical information table 502, the lifestyle information table 503, and the dietary intake information table 504 will be described using the case where user P1 uses the service as an example.

[0047] The user P1 starts the client program 3P on the terminal device 3a, which is his / her own terminal device 3, and inputs an evaluation start command to the terminal device 3a.

[0048] Then, in the terminal device 3a, the basic body information providing unit 302 executes a process of providing the basic body information of the user P1 to the evaluation server 2 as follows.

[0049] The basic body information providing unit 302 sequentially displays a first basic body information registration screen 62A as shown in FIG. 7(B) and a second basic body information registration screen 62B as shown in FIG. 7(B) on the touch panel display 34. Here, the user P1 enters his / her own height and weight in text boxes 62A1 and 62A2, respectively. If the height or weight cannot be measured, the user enters the calf circumference in text box 62A3. Once the height and weight or calf circumference has been entered, the BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated using a known arithmetic formula and displayed in text box 62A4.

[0050] Touching the list box 62A5 displays options for daily activity levels, allowing user P1 to select his or her own activity level. The options are "high," "normal," and "low," which are selected for cases where "active activities such as work that involves a lot of moving around outside the office or standing, or sports, etc., "moving around within the workplace, doing housework, shopping, etc., and "mainly desk work, and not moving around much," respectively.

[0051] If user P1 is pregnant or breastfeeding, she touches list box 62A5, which displays the options "Early pregnancy," "Mid pregnancy," "Late pregnancy," and "Breastfeeding," allowing her to select the option that best suits her situation.

[0052] Furthermore, if the user P1 has a disease, the user P1 selects the disease by touching the corresponding button in the check box group 62B1.

[0053] Furthermore, if there are target intake amounts for energy, protein, fat, salt, and potassium, user P1 checks "Yes" from selection button group 62B2 and inputs the target intake amounts for each in text boxes 62B3 to 62B7.

[0054] Then, when user P1 presses the send button 62B8, the basic physical information providing unit 302 extracts the membership code indicated in the membership code data 72 stored in the user data storage unit 308, generates basic physical data 73 indicating the entered or selected content and the extracted membership code, and transmits it to the evaluation server 2.

[0055] In the evaluation server 2, when the basic body information receiving unit 204 receives the basic body data 73, it adds a new record (row) to the basic body information table 502 corresponding to the membership code indicated in the basic body data 73. Then, in this record, it writes the date on which the basic body data 73 was received as the response date, and writes the height and weight indicated in the basic body data 73. If a disease is indicated, it also writes the disease, and if target intake amounts for energy etc. are indicated, it writes the respective intake amounts.

[0056] When the basic physical data 73 is sent to the assessment server 2 in the terminal device 3a, the lifestyle information providing unit 303 executes the process of providing the assessment server 2 with information about the recent lifestyle situation of the user P1 (e.g., the past three months) as follows.

[0057] The lifestyle information providing unit 303 determines the age category of the user P1 based on the birth date of the user P1 and the current date. The birth date of the user P1 is indicated in the fixed data 71 stored in the user data storage unit 308.

[0058] The lifestyle information providing unit 303 then asks the user P1 questions corresponding to the age category of the user P1 from among a plurality of questions prepared in advance, and collects information by having the user P1 answer them.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, questions for eight items are prepared in advance. Each question is assigned a question code in advance, such as "Q1," "Q2," ..., "Q8." Hereinafter, each question will be distinguished by being assigned the corresponding question code, such as "Question Q1," "Question Q2," ..., "Question Q8." For each age group, which of these questions Q1 to Q8 will be given is set by "O." For example, it is set that questions Q1, Q3 to Q7 will be given to adult users, but questions Q2 and Q8 will not be given.

[0060] Therefore, if the age category of user P1 is adult, the lifestyle information providing unit 303 collects information by sequentially presenting questions Q1, Q3 to Q7 and having the user answer them. For example, the first question (question Q1 in this example) is presented by displaying a question screen 63 as shown in FIG. 7(C) on the touch panel display 34. The question screen 63 displays the content of the question, i.e., "Has your weight decreased (omitted) in the past three months?" and options 631 to 635. User P1 selects an answer to the question from options 631 to 635 and presses answer button 636.

[0061] The lifestyle information providing unit 303 similarly asks the second and subsequent questions by displaying a question screen on which the question content and options are arranged. The user P1 selects an answer to the question from the options and presses the answer button.

[0062] Then, when user P1 has completed answering all of the questions to be posed, the lifestyle information providing unit 303 extracts the membership code indicated in the membership code data 72 stored in the user data storage unit 308, generates lifestyle answer data 74 indicating the question code and answer for each question, the age category of user P1, and the extracted membership code, and transmits it to the evaluation server 2.

[0063] In the assessment server 2, when the lifestyle information receiving unit 205 receives the lifestyle answer data 74, it adds a new record (row) to the lifestyle information table 503 corresponding to the membership code indicated in the lifestyle answer data 74. Then, it writes the age category indicated in the lifestyle answer data 74 into this record, and writes the date the lifestyle answer data 74 was received as the answer date. Furthermore, it writes the answer indicated in the lifestyle answer data 74 into the field (section) corresponding to the question. In other words, it writes the answer to question Qx into the field for answer Ax.

[0064] When the lifestyle response data 74 is transmitted to the assessment server 2 in the terminal device 3a, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 executes the process of providing the assessment server 2 with information on the amount of food (intake) of the user P1's recent meals, etc., as follows.

[0065] The dietary intake information providing unit 304 collects information by presenting a plurality of questions prepared in advance to the user P1 and having the user P1 answer them.

[0066] Specifically, one or more questions to be asked about each of the 20 items shown in FIG. 9 are prepared in advance, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 14. Each item is assigned an item code in the order of "Q01," "Q02," etc., and questions belonging to the same item are further assigned sub-numbers in the order of "1," "2," etc. In other words, each question is identified by its item code and sub-number. Hereinafter, each question will be distinguished by being assigned the corresponding item code and sub-number, such as "Question Q01-1," "Question Q01-2," etc.

[0067] The dietary intake information providing unit 304 collects information by presenting all of these questions to the user P1 in ascending order of items and ascending order of sub-numbers, regardless of the user P1's age category, etc. The user P1 can answer most of these questions by selecting an option, but answers some of them by inputting the amount or specifying the ranking.

[0068] For example, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 presents the question Q01-1 of FIG. 10(A) by displaying a question screen 64 such as that of FIG. 15(A). The question screen 64 displays the question content, i.e., "Do you eat staple foods?" and options 641-644. User P1 selects an answer to the question from options 641-644 and presses the answer button 645. Like question Q01-1, the other questions shown in FIGS. 10-13 also require the user to select an option by pressing it. The question shown in FIG. 14(G) is similar. Note that the colon ":" and the number to the right of it shown in FIGS. 10-14 are not displayed on the question screen 64 or the like. This number is a parameter value and is used to calculate the evaluation. This will be described later.

[0069] Alternatively, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 presents question Q06-3 of FIG. 14(A) by displaying a question screen 65 as shown in FIG. 15(B). Question screen 65 includes the question content, i.e., "Please rank foods in order of frequency of eating," and text boxes 651-653. User P1 enters an answer to the question, i.e., one of "1," "2," or "3," in text boxes 651-653, without repetition, and presses answer button 654. Like question Q06-3, each of the questions shown in FIGS. 14(B)-(D) also prompts the user to input a ranking.

[0070] Alternatively, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 presents the question Q13-2 of Fig. 14(E) by displaying a question screen 66 as shown in Fig. 15(C). The question screen 66 displays the question, i.e., "Please select how often you eat it," along with four types of oily foods, corresponding text boxes 661-664, and multiple options. User P1 enters the option corresponding to each of the four types of oily foods into the text boxes 661-664 and presses the answer button 665.

[0071] Alternatively, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 presents the question Q20-2 of FIG. 14(F) by displaying a question screen 67 as shown in FIG. 15(D). The question screen 67 displays the question, namely, "What is the total amount per day?", as well as five types of alcoholic beverages and corresponding text boxes 671-675. User P1 inputs the daily intake amount of each of the five types of alcoholic beverages into the text boxes 671-675 and presses the answer button 676. Thus, question Q20-2 is a type without multiple-choice options.

[0072] Then, when user P1 has completed answering all the questions, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 extracts the membership code indicated in the membership code data 72 stored in the user data storage unit 308, generates dietary intake answer data 75 indicating the identifiers (item codes and sub-numbers) and answers of each question, as well as the extracted membership code, and transmits it to the evaluation server 2.

[0073] In the assessment server 2, when the dietary intake information receiving unit 206 receives the dietary intake answer data 75, it adds a new record to the dietary intake information table 504 corresponding to the membership code indicated in the dietary intake answer data 75. Then, it writes the date on which the dietary intake answer data 75 was received as the answer date in this record. Furthermore, it writes the answer indicated in the dietary intake answer data 75 in the field corresponding to the question. In other words, it writes the answer to question Qy-z in the field for answer Ay-z.

[0074] [Health or nutrition data] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing examples of a body score table 511 and a situation score table 512. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an average nutritional amount table 513. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an advice table 514.

[0075] The evaluation information storage unit 202 stores a body score table 511, a condition score table 512, an average nutritional amount table 513, and an advice table 514.

[0076] 16(A), body score table 511 shows the score for each value of the weight gain / loss rate. Specifically, the range of possible weight gain / loss rates is divided into five zones, and each of the five zones is set to one of "2 points," "4 points," "6 points," "8 points," and "10 points" without overlapping. Furthermore, like the weight gain / loss rate, body score table 511 shows the score for each value of BMI and each value of Kaup index.

[0077] 16(B), situation score table 512 shows the score for each answer option A1 to A8 to questions Q1 to Q8 (see FIG. 8). Note that the higher the scores shown in body score table 511 and situation score table 512, the better.

[0078] Average nutritional amount table 513 shows the content (per 100 grams) of each nutritional component (various nutrients and energy) per 100 grams for each food group, as shown in Figure 17. While Figure 17 only shows some food groups and nutrients, in this embodiment, there are 35 food groups: rice, bread, noodles, other grains, potatoes, sugars, natto and soybeans, tofu and soybean (other than whole grain) processed products, other soybean products, nuts and seeds, vegetables (green-yellow and light-colored), pickles, fruits, mushrooms and algae, blue fish, white fish, squid, shellfish, shrimp, beef, pork, chicken, processed fish products, processed meat products, eggs, milk and dairy products, oils and fats, Japanese sweets, Western sweets, snacks, beer, shochu and chuhai, wine, sake, whiskey, other beverages, and seasonings and spices. There are also 22 nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, retinol equivalents, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin C, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and total dietary fiber.

[0079] The advice table 514 shows the state or advice wording regarding matters such as physique and weight gain / loss for users of each age group, as shown in Fig. 18. Although Fig. 18 shows only some of the matters and age groups as examples, the advice table 514 shows wording regarding physique, weight gain / loss, loss of appetite, independent walking, stress, neurological / mental problems, skipping breakfast, eating speed, eating in the evening / before bedtime, and fatigue for users of school age, adulthood, and elderly ages.

[0080] [Assessment data] FIG. 19 shows examples of the physical health assessment table 521 and the nutritional intake table 522. As shown in FIG.

[0081] The result data storage unit 287 stores a physical health assessment table 521 and a nutritional intake table 522 for each user, as shown in Figure 19. Like the user-specific information table 501 shown in Figure 6, the physical health assessment table 521 and the nutritional intake table 522 are generated when a membership code is issued for a new user, and are stored in association with that membership code in the result data storage unit 287. At this point, the physical health assessment table 521 and the nutritional intake table 522 are empty.

[0082] [Evaluation process] FIG. 20 shows examples of a physical evaluation screen 68, a nutritional intake screen 69, and an advice screen 60.

[0083] When the basic physical data 73, lifestyle response data 74, and dietary intake response data 75 are transmitted from the terminal device 3, the information is written into the basic physical information table 502, lifestyle information table 503, and dietary intake information table 504, as described above. After writing, the physical health assessment unit 281 and the nutritional intake calculation unit 283 perform processing for evaluation.

[0084] [Physical and Health Assessment] The physical health evaluation unit 281 performs evaluation of the body and health. Specifically, in addition to the evaluation values ​​for each of the physique and weight gain / loss, it determines evaluation values ​​for each of five to six items according to the age category of the user (hereinafter referred to as the "target user") who is the subject of evaluation among the eight items shown in Fig. 8.

[0085] The physical health assessment unit 281 determines the evaluation value of the physique as follows: The latest height and weight are read from the basic physical information table 502 of the target user (see FIG. 6(B)). If the height or weight is not shown in the basic physical information table 502, the calf circumference is read. Based on the read height, weight, or calf circumference, the BMI is calculated if the target user's age category is adult or elderly, and the Kaup index is calculated if the target user is of school age. Note that both the BMI and the Kaup index are calculated by dividing the weight (kilograms) by the square of the height (meters). Alternatively, they can be calculated by substituting the calf circumference into a formula.

[0086] The physical health assessment unit 281 then identifies the field to which the calculated BMI or Kaup index belongs in the body score table 511 (see FIG. 16(A)), and determines the physique evaluation value to be the score corresponding to that field. For example, if the calculated BMI is "21.0," this BMI falls within the range "21.5>K≧20," so the physique evaluation value is determined to be "8 points."

[0087] The physical health assessment unit 281 determines the evaluation value of weight gain or loss as follows: reads the latest weight and the weight immediately before that of the target user from the basic physical information table 502; R=(Wn-Wn-1) / Wn "R" is the weight gain / loss rate, and "Wn" and "Wn-1" are the most recent weight and the weight immediately before that, respectively.

[0088] The physical health assessment unit 281 then determines the field to which the calculated absolute value of the weight gain / loss rate belongs in the body score table 511, and calculates the evaluation value of the weight gain / loss as a score corresponding to that field.

[0089] The physical health assessment unit 281 determines the evaluation score for loss of appetite as follows: It reads the latest value of answer A1 to question Q1 about loss of appetite from the target user's lifestyle information table 503 (see FIG. 6(C)). It then determines the field to which the read value belongs in the record for answer A1 in the situation score table 512 (see FIG. 16(B)), and determines the evaluation score for loss of appetite to be the score corresponding to that field. For example, if the read value is "3," it determines the evaluation score for loss of appetite to be "6 points."

[0090] Similarly to loss of appetite, evaluation values ​​are determined for the items of independent walking, stress, neurological and mental problems, skipping breakfast, eating speed, eating in the evening or before bed, and fatigue. That is, the physical health evaluation unit 281 reads the latest values ​​of answers A2, A3, ..., A8 to questions Q2, Q3, ..., Q8, respectively. The evaluation value is determined to be the score corresponding to the field to which the read value belongs in the record of each answer A2, A3, ..., A8 in the situation score table 512.

[0091] Once the evaluation value for each item is determined, a new record is added to the target user's physical health evaluation table 521 (see FIG. 19(A)), and the evaluation value for each item is written into this record. Furthermore, the current date is written as the evaluation date.

[0092] The physical evaluation data sending unit 282 sends physical evaluation data 761 indicating the evaluation value and evaluation date for each item determined by the physical health evaluation unit 281 to the target user's terminal device 3. Furthermore, it reads the previous evaluation value and evaluation date from the target user's physical health evaluation table 521, and sends physical evaluation data 762 indicating the read evaluation value and evaluation date to the target user's terminal device 3.

[0093] In the terminal device 3, when the physical evaluation presentation unit 305 receives the physical evaluation data 761, 762, it displays on the touch panel display 34 a physical evaluation screen 68, as shown in Figure 20(A), which shows the previous and current evaluation values, total points, and evaluation dates as graphs or numbers.

[0094] [Evaluation of nutritional intake] The nutrient intake calculation unit 283 of the evaluation server 2 calculates (estimates) the target user's daily energy intake and the intake of each of the 22 nutrients described above as follows.

[0095] The nutritional intake calculation unit 283 reads the most recently added record from the target user's dietary intake information table 504 (see FIG. 6(D)) stored in the user data storage unit 201. By substituting each value shown in the read record into the following formulas (1) to (35), the average amount (daily average amount) that the target user eats (ingests) per day for each of the 35 food groups mentioned above is calculated. In the formulas below, the daily average amount for each food group is written as "rice amount M1," "bread amount M2," "noodle amount M3," ..., and "seasoning / flavoring amount M35." Amount of rice M1 = (A01_1 - A01_3 - A01_4) · A01_2_1 / 7 … (1) Bread quantity M2=A01_3·A01_2_2 / 7 … (2) Amount of noodles M3 = A01_4·A01_2_3 / 7 … (3) Other grain amount M4 = B4 … (4) Potato quantity M5=A02_1·A02_2+B5 … (5) Sugar amount M6 =A16_1_1+A19_1·A19_2·A19_3+A19_4·A19_5·A19_6 … (6) Natto·Soybean amount M7=A03_1·A03_2 … (7) Tofu and soybeans (other than whole grains) processed product quantity M8 = A04_1 · A04_2 … (8) Other soy products M9 = B9 … (9) Amount of seeds and fruits M10=A12_1·A12_2 … (10) Amount of vegetables M11=A9_1·A9_2 … (11) Amount of pickles M12 = A15_1·A15_2 … (12) Fruit quantity M13 = A10_1 · A10_2 … (13) Mushroom and algae amount M14 = A11_1 · A11_2 … (14) Amount of blue fish M15=A06_1·A06_2·A06_3_A … (15) White meat amount M16 = A06_1 · A06_2 · A06_3_B … (16) Squid, shellfish, shrimp quantity M17 = A06_1·A06_2·A06_3_C … (17) Beef quantity M18=A07_1·A07_2·A07_3_A … (18) Pork quantity M19=A07_1·A07_2·A07_3_B … (19) Chicken quantity M20 = A07_1·A07_2·A07_3_C … (20) Amount of processed fish products M21=A08_1·A08_2·A08_3_A … (21) Amount of processed meat products M22=A08_1·A08_2·A08_3_B … (22) Egg mass M23=A05_1·A05_2+B23 … (23) Milk and dairy product amount M24=A14_1·A14_2+B24 … (24) Amount of oils and fats M25=A13_1·(B25_1·A13_2_A+B25_2·A13_2_B+B25_3·A13_2_C +B25_4·A13_2_D) … (25) Amount of Japanese sweets M26=A18_1·A18_2·A18_3_A … (26) Amount of Western sweets M27=A18_1·A18_2·A18_3_B … (27) Snack quantity M28 = A18_1·A18_2·A18_3_C … (28) Amount of beer M29=B29·A20_1·A20_2_A·A20_3_A … (29) Shochu·Chuhai amount M30=B30·A20_1·A20_2_B·A20_3_B … (30) Amount of wine M31=B31·A20_1·A20_2_C … (31) Sake volume M32=B32·A20_1·A20_2_D … (32) Amount of whiskey M33 = B33 · A20_1 · A20_2_E … (33) Preferred beverage amount M34=B34 … (34) Seasoning / flavoring amount M35=B35+A16_1_2+A17_1·A17_2 … (35) "Ay_z" is a parameter value corresponding to the user's answer (option) to question Qy-z shown in Figures 10 to 14. For example, "A01_1" is a parameter value corresponding to the answer to question Q01-1, and when "3" is entered in the field for answer A01-1 in the read dietary intake information table 504, it is determined to be "7" from Figure 10(A).

[0096] "Ay_z_i" is the ith parameter value among multiple parameter values ​​corresponding to the user's answer (option) to question Qy-z. For example, "A01_2_3" is the third parameter value among multiple parameter values ​​corresponding to the answer to question Q01-2, and if "5" is entered in the field for answer A01-2 in the read dietary intake information table 504, then it is determined to be the third parameter value among "250, 150, 300", i.e., "300", from Figure 10(B).

[0097] "Ay_z_A", "Ay_z_B", ..., "Ay_z_E" are parameter values ​​corresponding to the answers (options) to items A, B, ..., E in question Qy-z, respectively. For example, "A13_2_C" is a parameter value corresponding to the answer to item C in question Q13-2 in Figure 14(E), i.e., "Tempura (15g)", and is determined to be "0.75" when, for example, "d" is indicated in the field for answer A13-2 in the read dietary intake information table 504.

[0098] However, as an exception, the answers to each item of question Q20-2 in Figure 14(F), i.e., "A20_2_A", "A20_2_B", ..., "A20_2_E", are the user's answers that are used as they are. For example, "A20_2_D" is determined to be "3" if the value corresponding to D is "3" in the field of answer A20-2 in the read dietary intake information table 504.

[0099] Furthermore, two values, "A20_3_A" and "A20_3_B," are obtained from the answer to question Q20-3 in FIG. 14(G). When "1" is entered in the field of answer A20-3, "A20_3_A" and "A20_3_B" are determined to be the parameter values ​​corresponding to "1" for A and B, respectively, that is, "0.6" and "0.8." When "2" is entered, they are determined to be the parameter values ​​corresponding to "2" for A and B, respectively, that is, "0.5" and "0.7." When "3" is entered, they are determined to be the parameter values ​​corresponding to "3" for A and B, respectively, that is, "1" and "1."

[0100] "Bs" and "Bs_t" are constants.

[0101] The 35 food groups can be broadly divided into six groups based on the method used to calculate the average daily intake:

[0102] The first group is the group for which the average daily amount is calculated by multiplying the number of meals (eating and drinking) per week by seven days (hereafter referred to as the "average number of meals per day") by the amount of food and drink consumed per meal. As shown in formulas (7), (8), (10)-(14), Figures 10(G)-(J), 11(G)-(L), and Figures 12(A), (B), (F), and (G), natto / soybeans, nuts and seeds, vegetables, pickled vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms / algae belong to the first group.

[0103] The second group is the group in which the average daily amount is calculated by adding a constant to the product of the average number of meals per day and the amount of food and drink consumed per meal. As shown in Equations (5), (23), (24), Figures 10(E), (F), (K), (L), and Figures 12(D) and (E), potatoes, eggs, and milk / dairy products fall into this second group.

[0104] The third group is where the average daily amount is calculated based on the answer to one question, along with the average daily amounts of other food groups. The third group includes rice, bread, noodles, blue fish, white fish, other seafood, beef, pork, chicken, processed fish products, processed meat products, Japanese sweets, Western sweets, snacks, beer, shochu, wine, sake, and whiskey. three This falls into the group of three This group is further divided into three subgroups:

[0105] Rice, bread, and noodles are classified into the first subgroup. The average daily intakes M1, M2, and M3 of rice, bread, and noodles, respectively, are calculated based on the answers to questions Q01-1 to Q01-4 about staple foods, as shown in formulas (1) to (3) and Figures 10(A) to (D).

[0106] That is, the average daily amount M1 is calculated by taking the difference between the number of meals eaten per week and the number of times bread or noodles are eaten as a staple food in those meals, and multiplying the number of times rice is eaten as a staple food in those meals per week by the amount of rice eaten per meal. The average daily amount M2 is calculated by multiplying the number of times bread is eaten as a staple food in those meals per week by the amount of bread eaten per meal. The average daily amount M3 is calculated by multiplying the number of times noodles are eaten as a staple food in those meals per week by the amount of noodles eaten per meal.

[0107] Blue fish, white fish, and other seafood are classified into the second subgroup. The average daily intakes M15, M16, and M17 of blue fish, white fish, and other seafood, respectively, are calculated based on the responses to questions Q06-1 to Q06-3 regarding seafood, as shown in equations (15) to (17), Figures 11(A) and (B), and Figure 14(A).

[0108] That is, the average daily amounts M15, M16, and M17 are calculated by multiplying the product of the average number of meals per day and the amount of seafood eaten per meal by the parameter values ​​for blue fish, white fish, and squid, shellfish, and shrimp, respectively. The values ​​of these three parameters are "0.6," "0.3," and "0.1," in order of most frequently eaten, and their total is "1." In other words, the average daily amounts M15, M16, and M17 are calculated assuming that seafood is eaten 6, 3, and 1 time out of 10 meals, in order of most frequently eaten.

[0109] Similarly, the average daily amounts M18, M19, and M20 of beef, pork, and chicken, respectively, are calculated based on the answers to questions Q07-1 through Q07-3 about meat, as shown in formulas (18) through (20), Figures 11(C) and (D), and Figure 14(B). Similarly, the average daily amounts M21 and M22 of processed fish products and processed meat products, respectively, are calculated based on the answers to questions Q08-1 through Q08-3 about meat and fish products, as shown in formulas (21) and (22), Figures 11(E) and (F), and Figure 14(C). Similarly, the average daily amounts M26, M27, and M28 of Japanese sweets, Western sweets, and snacks, respectively, are calculated based on the answers to questions Q18-1 through Q18-3 about sweets, as shown in formulas (26) through (28), Figures 12(K) and (L), and Figure 14(D).

[0110] Beer, shochu / chuhai, wine, sake, and whiskey are classified into the third subgroup. The average daily amounts M29, M30, M31, M32, and M33 of beer, shochu / chuhai, wine, sake, and whiskey, respectively, are calculated based on the answers to questions Q20-1 to Q20-3 regarding alcoholic beverages, as shown in equations (29) to (33), Figure 13(G), Figure 14(F), and Figure 14(G).

[0111] That is, average daily amounts M31, M32, and M33 are the product of the average number of meals per day and the amount of sake, wine, and whiskey consumed per drinking session, respectively.Average daily amounts M29 and M30 are calculated by multiplying the product of the average number of meals per day and the amount of beer and shochu / chuhai consumed per drinking session by a parameter value corresponding to the calorie-reduced or sugar-reduced beer, shochu, and chuhai, respectively.

[0112] The fourth group is a group in which a constant is calculated as the average daily amount regardless of the user's answer. As shown in equations (4), (9), and (34), the amounts of other grains, other soy products, and favorite beverages fall into the third group.

[0113] The fifth group is a group in which the average daily intake is calculated based on the answers to multiple questions. As shown in Equations (6), (35), Figures 12(H)-(J), and Figures 13(A)-(F), sugars and seasonings / flavorings fall into this fifth group.

[0114] The sixth group is the miscellaneous group, which includes oils and fats. The average daily amount of oils and fats M25 is the sum of the products of the oil content per meal of multiple oily dishes (stir-fried dishes, fried chicken, tempura, fries, etc.) and the parameter value according to the frequency of consumption, as shown in formula (25) and Figures 12(C) and 14(E).

[0115] Note that the amount of fats and oils M25 is the amount of fats and oils (olive oil, soybean oil, blended oils, butter, margarine, etc.), and not the amount of beef, pork, chicken, blue fish, white fish, vegetables, or other ingredients used in the above menu. The same applies to the amount of fats and oils N26, which will be described later.

[0116] After calculating the average daily amounts for each of the 35 food groups mentioned above, the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 calculates the target user's daily energy intake SD and the intake TD of each of the 22 nutrients mentioned above based on these average daily amounts and the average nutrient table 513 (see Figure 17) stored in the evaluation information storage unit 202 using the following equations (36) and (37).

[0117]

number

[0118] "Sk" is the amount of energy per 100 grams of the kth food group shown in the average nutrient amount table 513. "TDj" is the target user's daily intake of the jth nutrient. "Tj_k" is the amount of the jth nutrient contained in 100 grams of the kth food group shown in the average nutrient amount table 513.

[0119] The nutrient intake calculation unit 283 then writes the calculated intakes SD and TDj (where j=1, 2, ..., 22) into the nutrient intake table 522 of the target user (see FIG. 19(B)). Furthermore, it writes the current date as the evaluation date.

[0120] The nutrient intake data transmission unit 284 transmits the intakes SD and TDj calculated by the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 and nutrient intake data 77 indicating the target intake of the target user to the terminal device 3 of the target user. The target intake is determined as follows and indicated in the nutrient intake data 77.

[0121] If the target intakes of energy, protein, etc. are indicated in the basic physical information table 502 (see FIG. 6(B)), these target intakes are indicated in the nutrient intake data 77. If the basic physical information table 502 does not indicate a target intake but indicates a disease, the target intakes of energy, protein, etc. corresponding to the disease and the target user's weight, etc. are indicated in the nutrient intake data 77. Such target intakes are calculated from publicly known data in nutrition. Generally, when there is a fever, inflammation, or bedsore, the amount of nutrients required to heal increases. Therefore, the target intake of the target user may be determined by multiplying the standard target intake by a coefficient corresponding to the target user's symptoms. Furthermore, the amount of required energy and each nutrient may increase or decrease depending on the activity status (e.g., moving around within the office, working a job that requires a lot of standing, desk work, etc.). Therefore, the target intake of the target user may be determined by multiplying the standard target intake by a coefficient corresponding to the target user's activity selected on the first basic physical information registration screen 62A (see FIG. 7(B)). If the basic physical information table 502 does not indicate a target intake or a disease, the standard intake of energy, protein, etc. according to the target user's height, weight, etc. is indicated as the target intake in the nutritional intake data 77. Such intakes are also calculated from publicly known data in nutritional science.

[0122] When the nutrient intake presentation unit 306 of the terminal device 3 receives the nutrient intake data 77, it displays a nutrient intake screen 69 on the touch panel display 34, as shown in Figure 20(B), which shows the energy intake SD, target intake, and intake rate (the ratio of intake to target intake) as well as the intake TDj, target intake, and intake rate of each nutrient. In this way, the intakes of nutrients, etc. input by the target user are displayed in comparison with the estimated nutrient requirements of the target user, allowing the target user to more easily understand their own condition.

[0123] The nutrient intake amounts TDj and target intake amounts to be presented may be changed depending on the user's disease or age category. That is, the intake amounts TDj and target intake amounts of nutrients that require attention to cure the user's disease or maintain the current state may be presented with priority.

[0124] 〔advice〕 In the evaluation server 2, the advice sentence generation unit 285 generates an advice sentence for the target user as follows.

[0125] The advice sentence generator 285 extracts from the advice table 514 (see FIG. 18) a sentence corresponding to the latest physical or health assessment or latest nutritional intake of the target user, which has been written in the physical health assessment table 521 or the nutritional intake table 522 (see FIG. 19). For example, if the target user's age category is adulthood and the assessment values ​​of the target user's BMI, weight gain / loss rate, and loss of appetite are "18," "-0.06," and "4 points," respectively, the advice sentence generator 285 extracts "You are losing weight," "You are losing weight," and "Your loss of appetite and digestive symptoms are continuing, so consult a doctor or registered dietitian."

[0126] Then, the advice sentence generation unit 285 inserts each extracted phrase into a predetermined position in the template. In this way, an advice sentence is generated. For example, the extracted phrases are inserted in order into {A}, {B}, and {C} in the template "Recently, you have been using {A}, {B}, and {C}."

[0127] The advice data transmitting unit 286 transmits advice data 78 indicating the advice sentence generated by the advice sentence generating unit 285 to the terminal device 3 of the target user.

[0128] In the terminal device 3, when the advice presenting unit 307 receives the advice data 78, it displays an advice screen 60 on the touch panel display 34, as shown in Fig. 20(C), in which the advice statement indicated in the advice data 78 is written together with the scheduled date of the next input, etc. This scheduled date is a predetermined period after the current input date (for example, one month after).

[0129] Each time the touch panel display 34 is flicked to the right, the body evaluation screen 68, the nutritional intake screen 69, and the advice screen 60 may be displayed in sequence. Alternatively, the contents of multiple screens may be displayed together.

[0130] Alternatively, the advice generation unit 285 may compare the current evaluation or intake amount SD, TDj with the previous evaluation or intake amount SD, TDj, extract improved and worsened items, and generate an advice statement based on the extraction results. For example, if the carbohydrate intake amount TD3 exceeded the standard last time but is within the standard range this time, an advice statement such as "Your carbohydrate intake has improved. Keep it up." may be generated.

[0131] The advice presenting unit 307 may arrange on the advice screen 60 a radar chart or a pie chart representing the intake amounts TD1, TD2, and TD3 of the three major nutrients, namely, protein, fat, and carbohydrate.

[0132] [Overall processing flow of evaluation server 2] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow by the evaluation program 2P.

[0133] Next, the overall processing flow of the evaluation server 2 will be explained with reference to a flowchart, taking as an example a case where a user P1 uses the nutritional evaluation support system 1. The evaluation server 2 executes processing based on the evaluation program 2P in the procedure shown in the flowchart in Fig. 21.

[0134] When user P1 uses the nutritional evaluation support system 1 for the first time (Yes in #801 of FIG. 21), the evaluation server 2 displays the new registration screen 61 (see FIG. 7(A)) on the terminal device 3a (#802) and receives fixed data 71 indicating information such as the name entered by user P1 from the terminal device 3a (#803). Then, the evaluation server 2 generates a user-specific information table 501 or a dietary intake information table 504 (see FIG. 6) for user P1 (#804) and writes the information indicated in the fixed data 71 and user P1's new membership code into the user-specific information table 501 (#805). Then, the evaluation server 2 transmits membership code data 72 indicating this membership code to the terminal device 3a (#806).

[0135] On the other hand, if the user P1 has already used the nutritional evaluation support system 1 (No in #802), the evaluation server 2 skips steps #802 to #805.

[0136] The evaluation server 2 sequentially displays the first basic body information registration screen 62A and the second basic body information registration screen 62B on the terminal device 3a (#807), and receives the basic body data 73 indicating information such as height entered by the user P1 from the terminal device 3a (#808).Then, the information indicated in the basic body data 73 is written to the basic body information table 502 (#809).

[0137] The assessment server 2 sequentially displays the question screen 63 and the like on the terminal device 3a (#810), receives the life answer data 74 indicating the answers entered by the user P1 from the terminal device 3a (#811), and writes the information indicated in the life answer data 74 into the life information table 503 (#812).

[0138] The assessment server 2 sequentially displays the question screens 64 to 67 (see FIG. 15) on the terminal device 3a (#813), receives the dietary intake answer data 75 indicating the answers entered by the user P1 from the terminal device 3a (#814), and writes the information indicated in the dietary intake answer data 75 into the dietary intake information table 504 (#815).

[0139] The assessment server 2 assesses the body and health of user P1 (#816) and causes the terminal device 3a to display a body assessment screen 68 (see FIG. 19) showing the results (#817). Furthermore, the assessment server 2 calculates the nutritional intake of user P1 (#818) and causes the terminal device 3a to display a nutritional intake screen 69 showing the results (#819). Then, it generates an advice statement for user P1 (#820) and causes the terminal device 3a to display an advice screen 60 showing the results (#821).

[0140] This embodiment reduces the burden of input on the user when calculating the intake TD of each nutrient compared to conventional methods. This is because the number of question items is narrowed down to 20 as shown in Figure 9, and the number of questions per item is further narrowed down to approximately 2-3.

[0141] Specifically, for example, the average daily amounts M1, M2, and M3 of rice, bread, and noodles are calculated based on the answers to common questions Q1-1 to Q1-4. This reduces the burden on the user's input compared to when separate questions are given for each food group. It takes about five minutes to answer all the questions, and as long as the user has a terminal device 3, the service can be accessed anytime, anywhere. This allows the user to use the nutritional management support program more easily and continuously than before.

[0142] The number of questions is optional, but it is considered desirable to have around 15 to 25. If there are fewer than 15 questions, the accuracy of calculating intakes SD and TDj will be too low, and if there are more than 25 questions, the ease of use will be reduced and continuous use cannot be expected.

[0143] Furthermore, the system allows users to understand their nutritional assessment (calculated intakes SD, TD (nutrient intakes) and evaluation values) and provides advice on preferred eating habits or lifestyles according to age group or disease, encouraging users to self-manage or change their behavior to maintain and improve their own health and improve their quality of life (QOL). The widespread use of the nutritional assessment support system 1 can encourage self-help and mutual assistance among citizens, leading to an extension of healthy life expectancy.

[0144] [Modification] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing example items of questions about diet. Figs. 23 to 28 are diagrams showing example combinations of content, options, and parameter values ​​of questions about diet. Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of average nutritional amount table 513. Fig. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a question screen. Fig. 31 is a diagram showing an example of average nutritional amount table 513. Fig. 32 is a diagram showing examples of question screens 6A to 6D. Fig. 33 is a diagram showing examples of question screens 6E to 6G.

[0145] In this embodiment, the age groups are divided into three age groups, but four or more age groups may be used. For example, seven age groups may be used: 0-1 years old, 2-6 years old, 7-16 years old, 16-21 years old, 22-44 years old, 45-64 years old, and 65 years old or older. In this case, a combination of questions about health, etc. (see FIG. 8) and advice based on evaluation values, etc. (see FIG. 18) may be prepared and applied for each of the seven age groups. Alternatively, questions about health, etc. may be given to all users regardless of age group, and evaluation may be performed based on all answers.

[0146] In this embodiment, a combination of questions about health, etc. and advice based on evaluation values, etc., are prepared and applied for each age group, but further, diet-related question items (see Figure 9) as well as diet-related question contents, options, and parameter values ​​(see Figures 10 to 14) may also be prepared and applied for each age group.

[0147] For example, the dietary question items shown in Fig. 9, the dietary question contents, options, and parameter values ​​shown in Figs. 10 to 14, and average nutritional amount table 513 shown in Fig. 17 are used for the age group of 7 to 64 years old. Furthermore, for the age group of 0 to 6 years old, the dietary question items shown in Fig. 22, the dietary question contents, options, and parameter values ​​shown in Figs. 23 to 28, and average nutritional amount table 513 in Fig. 29 are prepared.

[0148] The average nutritional value table 513 in Figure 29 shows the nutrient and energy content (per 100 grams) of rice, bread, noodles, potatoes, pumpkin, corn, natto / soybeans, tofu / soybean (other than whole grain) processed products, other soy products, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms / algae, red fish, small fish, other seafood, beef, pork, chicken, processed fish products, processed meat products, egg yolks, whole eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, oils and fats, breast milk, powdered milk, infant sweets, and infant drinks per 100 grams. The amount of seasoning is also shown. This shows the nutrient and energy content per 100 grams of seasonings (salt, soy sauce, miso, sauce, etc.) used for seasoning.

[0149] If the target user (user to be evaluated) falls in the age group of 7 to 64 years old, the above-described processing is performed in the evaluation server 2 and the terminal device 3. That is, the average daily amount for each of the 35 subcategories is calculated based on the answers to the questions shown in Figures 10 to 14 and the above-described formulas (1) to (35), and the daily energy intake SD and the intake TD of each of the above-described 22 nutrients are calculated using the above-described formulas (36) and (37).

[0150] However, if the target user is of legal drinking age (under 20 in Japan), questions Q20-1 to Q20-3, i.e., questions about alcohol, may be skipped. Then, the answer to question Q20-1 (frequency of drinking) can be set to "5" (almost never), the answers to question Q20-2 (amount per sitting) can all be set to "0", and the answer to question Q20-3 (low calorie, etc.) can be set to any option, for example, "3" (neither).

[0151] On the other hand, if the target user falls into the age group of 0 to 6 years old, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 generates dietary intake answer data 75 by giving the questions shown in Figures 23 to 28 to the parent or guardian of the target user and having them answer the questions, and transmits the data to the assessment server 2. Then, in the assessment server 2, a new record is registered in the dietary intake information table 504 of the target user (see Figure 6(D)) based on the dietary intake answer data 75.

[0152] However, if the answer to question Q02-8 is "2" (No), the dietary intake information providing unit 304 skips all remaining questions Q02-9 to Q02-14 related to this question, sets the answers to questions Q02-9, Q02-12, and Q02-14 to all "7" (hardly eaten), and sets the answers to the remaining questions arbitrarily (for example, to "1").

[0153] Furthermore, when a question such as question Q02-1 has an option for "hardly eat," and this option is selected, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 may skip the remaining questions related to this question and set the answers to these questions arbitrarily (for example, to "1"). That is, for example, if "7" (hardly eat) is answered (selected) to question Q02-1, questions Q02-2 and Q02-3 may be skipped and the answers to these questions may be set arbitrarily. Similarly, if "4" (not drinking) is answered to question Q01-1, the answers to questions Q01-2 and Q01-3 may be set arbitrarily.

[0154] Questions Q04-2, Q04-4, Q04-6, and Q04-08 include images such as photographs or illustrations. When presenting such questions to the user, the dietary intake information providing unit 304 displays the question screen with the included images arranged, as shown in Figure 30. In this example, images are arranged only for these four questions, but images may also be arranged in the same way for other questions that prompt an answer regarding quantity.

[0155] Similarly, in the questions shown in Figures 10 to 14, if the option "I hardly eat" or "I don't eat" is selected, the remaining questions related to this question may be skipped and the answers to these questions may be set arbitrarily. Similarly, images may be arranged appropriately.

[0156] The nutritional intake calculation unit 283 calculates N1 to N31, which are the average daily amounts for the target user for each of the 30 subcategories shown in Fig. 22, by substituting the values ​​shown in this record or the parameter values ​​corresponding thereto into the following equations (38) to (67). The substitution method and the meaning of each value are as explained in (1) to (35). Note that "Cs" and "Cs_t" are constants. Amount of rice N1 = (A02_1·A02_2·A02_3+A02_9·A02_10·A02_11) / 7 … (38) Bread quantity N2=(A02_4·A02_5+A02_12·A02_13) / 7 … (39) Amount of noodles N3 = (A02_6·A02_7+A02_14·A02_15) / 7 … (40) Potato quantity N4=(A04_1·A04_2+A04_7·A04_8·A04_9_A) / 7 … (41) Pumpkin quantity N5 = (A04_3·A04_4+A04_7·A04_8·A04_9_B) / 7 … (42) Corn quantity N6=(A04_5·A04_6+A04_7·A04_8·A04_9_C) / 7 … (43) Natto / soybean amount N7=(A05_1·A05_2) / 7 … (44) Tofu and soybeans (other than whole soybeans) processed product quantity N8 = (A06_1 · A06_2) / 7 … (45) Other soybean products N9 = C9 … (46) Amount of vegetables N10 = (A11_1·A11_2) / 7 … (47) Fruit quantity N11 = (A12_1·A12_2) / 7 … (48) Mushroom and algae amount N12 = (A13_1 · A13_2) / 7 … (49) Amount of red fish N13=(A08_1·A08_2·A08_3_A) / 7 … (50) Small fish amount N14=(A08_1·A08_2·A08_3_B) / 7 … (51) Other seafood N15 = (A08_1·A08_2·A08_3_C) / 7 … (52) Beef quantity N16=(A09_1·A09_2·A09_3_A) / 7 … (53) Pork quantity N17=(A09_1·A09_2·A09_3_B) / 7 … (54) Chicken quantity N18 = (A09_1·A09_2·A09_3_C) / 7 … (55) Amount of processed fish products N19=(A10_1·A10_2·A10_3_A) / 7 … (56) Amount of processed meat products N20=(A10_1·A10_2·A10_3_B) / 7 … (57) Egg yolk amount N21=(A07_1·A07_2_A) / 7+C21 … (58) Total egg volume N22 = (A07_1·A07_2_B) / 7 + C22 … (59) Milk volume N23=A15_1 … (60) Yogurt amount N24=A15_2 … (61) Amount of cheese N25 = A15_3 … (62) Amount of oils and fats N26=A14_1·(C26_1·A14_2_A+C26_2·A14_2_B+C26_3·A14_2_C +C26_4·A14_2_D) / 7 … (63) Seasoning amount N27=C27·A16_1 Breast milk amount N28=A01_1_A·A01_2·A01_3 … (64) Amount of powdered milk N29 = A01_1_B·A01_2·A01_3 … (65) Amount of snacks for infants and children N30 = (A03_1·A03_2) / 7 … (66) Infant drink amount N31=(A17_1·A17_2) / 7 … (67) Then, the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 calculates the target user's daily energy intake SD and the intake TD of each of the 22 nutrients mentioned above by substituting the daily average amounts N1 to N31 of each subcategory calculated using equations (38) to (67) into the following equations (68) and (69).

[0157]

number

[0158] As described above, "Sk" is the energy amount per 100 grams of the kth food group shown in the average nutrient amount table 513. "TDj" is the target user's daily intake of the jth nutrient. "Tj_k" is the amount of the jth nutrient contained in 100 grams of the kth food group shown in the average nutrient amount table 513. Note that in equations (68) and (69), the average nutrient amount table 513 shown in FIG. 29 is used.

[0159] Comparing equations (38) to (67) with equations (1) to (35), it can be seen that these 30 subcategories have been selected according to the characteristics of the diet of infants and toddlers aged 0 to 6 years.

[0160] For example, because infants often consume milk, yogurt, and cheese evenly over a short period of time (e.g., one day to one week), the average daily amount is calculated for each of these subcategories. For the same reason, the average daily amount is calculated for pumpkin and corn.

[0161] Additionally, breast milk, baby snacks, and baby drinks are independently selected as subcategories for children aged 0 to 6 and the average daily amount is calculated. On the other hand, alcoholic beverages such as beer, shochu, chuhai, and wine are not selected, and the average daily amount is not calculated for these.

[0162] Furthermore, for some subcategories, the formula for calculating the average daily amount has been modified to reflect the characteristics of the diet of children aged 0 to 6. For example, the average daily amount of seafood is calculated based on the amount of red fish, small fish, and other seafood (see Figure 26(H)) consumed, rather than the amount of blue fish, red fish, white fish, and squid, shellfish, and shrimp consumed (see Figure 14(A)). The amount of rice N1 is calculated taking into account the type of rice, such as 10x rice porridge, 7x rice porridge, etc. (see Figure 23(E)).

[0163] For the age group 65 years and older (elderly age group), similar to the age groups 0 to 6 years and 7 to 64 years, dietary question items, dietary question content, options, parameter values, and average nutritional intake table 513, etc. can be prepared, and the target user's daily energy intake and intake of each nutrient can be calculated.

[0164] In particular, elderly people often regularly take supplements (nutritional supplements). Therefore, a question about the supplements regularly taken and the amount of each supplement taken may be provided (see FIG. 33(C)), and the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 may correct and output the energy intake calculated by equation (36) or equation (68) and the intake of each nutrient calculated by equation (37) or equation (69) based on the answer to the question. Similar corrections may be made not only for elderly people but also for other age groups.

[0165] An average nutritional amount table 513 (see FIG. 17) may be prepared for each region, and used depending on the food culture of the region where the user is from or resides.

[0166] For example, the table shown in FIG. 31 is prepared as average nutritional value table 513 for Okinawa Prefecture. Average nutritional value table 513 for Okinawa Prefecture shows the energy content of each of the 35 subcategories and the content rate (per 100 grams) of the 22 nutrients mentioned above, all of which are determined according to the food culture of Okinawa Prefecture. For example, in Okinawa Prefecture, the ratio of Chinese noodle consumption to total noodle consumption is higher than the national average. Also, the ratio of bitter melon consumption to total vegetable consumption is higher than the national average. Each value shown in average nutritional value table 513 in FIG. 31 is determined in accordance with these trends.

[0167] Then, when the target user is a resident of Okinawa prefecture, the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 calculates the target user's daily energy intake SD and the intake TD of each of the 22 nutrients using equations (36) and (37) based on average nutrient table 513 of FIG. 31 instead of average nutrient table 513 of FIG. 17.

[0168] The region of the target user may be acquired in advance by the fixed information providing unit 301 (see FIG. 5) having the target user provide information such as name, sex, and date of birth, and may be displayed as fixed data 71 (FIG. 6(A)). Alternatively, the current location of the target user may be acquired using the GPS (Global Positioning System) function of the terminal device 3, and the current location may be used as the region of the target user. The GPS function makes it easier to reflect information about meals eaten at travel destinations or new residences.

[0169] Furthermore, the content, options, and parameter values ​​of dietary questions may be prepared and applied for each region. For example, beef, pork, chicken, and mutton are prepared as options for question Q08-3 for Hokkaido, a table containing the energy and amount of each nutrient per 100 grams of mutton is prepared as average nutritional amount table 513 for Hokkaido, and the formula for calculating the average daily amount of mutton M38 is prepared as mutton amount M38 = A07_1·A07_2·A07_3_4.

[0170] Then, the evaluation server 2 calculates the energy intake SD and the intake TD of each nutrient based on the daily average amounts of each of 1 to 35 and the amount of mutton M38 and the average nutrient amount table 513 for Hokkaido.

[0171] Alternatively, an average nutritional value table 513 for Kagawa prefecture may be prepared so that the content rate of each nutrient in udon is mainly shown as the content rate of each nutrient in noodles, and an average nutritional value table 513 for Nagano prefecture may be prepared so that the content rate of each nutrient in soba is mainly shown as the content rate of each nutrient in noodles.

[0172] Alternatively, average nutrient amount tables 513 for each region may be prepared according to the intensity of seasoning. For example, several regions have been known in the past that are heavily seasoned. Therefore, a table of pickles or seasonings / spices that are saltier than average may be prepared as average nutrient amount tables 513 for regions with heavily seasoned foods, and a table of pickles or seasonings / spices that are less salty than average may be prepared as average nutrient amount tables 513 for regions with heavily seasoned foods.

[0173] Alternatively, in an area where Japanese sweets are known to be eaten frequently, even if the frequency of eating Japanese sweets is third, the amount of food eaten may be greater than in other areas.

[0174] Alternatively, weighting for each item based on the average nutrient amount table 513 may be prepared for each region, and the weighting for the region to which the user is originally from or resides may be applied (added or multiplied) to the average nutrient amount table 513.

[0175] In this way, by preparing and using diet-related question contents, options, parameter values, or average nutrient amount table 513 for each region rather than using them in common across all regions, it is possible to evaluate the user's nutritional intake according to the food culture of each region. In particular, by using different average nutrient amount tables 513 for each region, it is possible to calculate nutritional intakes that are appropriate for each region without increasing the number of questions too much. Furthermore, questions that are not relevant to the region can be omitted, thereby reducing the number of questions. Note that the region is not limited to Japan; it may be any country or region in the world.

[0176] Furthermore, an average nutritional amount table 513 may be prepared and applied for each region and each age group. For example, an average nutritional amount table 513 for children aged 0 to 6, an average nutritional amount table 513 for children aged 7 to 16, etc. may be prepared for Okinawa prefecture, Kagoshima prefecture, ..., Hokkaido, and one of these average nutritional amount tables 513 may be applied depending on the residence and age of the target user.

[0177] In this embodiment, of the food groups in the third group, the average daily amounts of rice, bread, and noodles were calculated using the method of the first small group, the average daily amounts of beer, shochu / chuhai, wine, sake, and whiskey were calculated using the method of the third small group, and the average daily amounts of the other food groups were calculated using the method of the second small group. However, the average daily amounts of each of these food groups can be calculated using any of the methods of these small groups.

[0178] The physical score table 511 or the situation score table 512 (see FIG. 16) may be prepared for each age category and used separately, or for each disease and used separately, or for each combination of age category and disease and used separately.

[0179] In the terminal device 3, the contents input last time or before may be input by default on the screens such as the first basic body information registration screen 62A, the second basic body information registration screen 62B, and the question screens 63 to 67. In this case, the evaluation server 2 reads out information from the table of the user who uses the terminal device 3 and transmits it to the terminal device 3.

[0180] In this embodiment, the terminal device 3 presented each of the questions shown in Figures 10 to 14 to the user in the order of the item codes. In other words, rather than presenting questions about the frequency of consumption (eating frequency) of each food group consecutively, and rather than presenting questions about the amount of each food group consumed in one sitting (unit amount consumed) consecutively, the questions were presented intermittently, for example, in this order: frequency of eating potatoes, amount of potatoes consumed in one sitting, frequency of eating natto / soybeans, amount of natto / soybeans consumed in one sitting. However, it is also possible to present the eating frequency of each food group consecutively, and then present the unit amount of each food group consecutively.

[0181] For example, the terminal device 3 sequentially displays question screens 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and 6G shown in FIG. 32 or 33. Question screen 6B lists questions asking about the weekly frequency of eating and drinking sweet potatoes, natto / soybeans, tofu, etc., and fruit. Question screen 6C lists questions asking about the weekly frequency of eating and drinking mushrooms / seaweed, peanuts, fried foods, etc., and alcohol. In other words, the terminal device 3 consecutively asks the user about the frequency of eating and drinking each of these food groups over a week, i.e., a period of the same length, using two screens.

[0182] Similarly, question screen 6D lists questions asking about the unit consumption amount for each of sweet potato, natto / soybeans, tofu, etc., and fruit. Also, question screen 6E lists questions asking about the unit consumption amount for each of mushrooms / seaweed, peanuts, fried foods, etc., and alcohol. In other words, terminal device 3 asks the user about the unit consumption amount consecutively and together on two screens.

[0183] Depending on the size of the display surface of the touch panel display 34 of the terminal device 3, the questions about the frequency of eating and drinking for each of these food groups may be presented all on one screen, or may be presented separately on three or more screens. Similarly, the questions about the unit amount of food eaten for each of these food groups may be presented all on one screen, or may be presented separately on three or more screens.

[0184] In this way, by standardizing and consecutively presenting questions about the frequency of eating and drinking for each food group over a specified period of time, and then standardizing and consecutively presenting questions about the unit amount of food consumed for each food group, users may find it easier to answer these questions than before. This is because users can first focus only on the frequency of eating and drinking for each food group and answer the questions while adjusting the relative level of the frequency of eating and drinking for each food group. Then, they can focus only on the unit amount of food consumed for each food group and answer the questions about the unit amount of food consumed for each food group. Moreover, because the questions about eating frequency and the questions about amount of food consumed are also standardized, users can easily think of answers to these questions.

[0185] To make it easier to understand the unit consumption amounts for each food group, "large," "slightly large," "normal," "slightly small," and "small," the terminal device 3 may display a pop-up showing the respective amounts when the name of a food group is touched. For example, when "Potatoes" is touched in Figure 33(D), "180 grams," "150 grams," "120 grams," "90 grams," and "60 grams" may be displayed as pop-ups representing "large," "slightly large," "normal," "slightly small," and "small" amounts of potatoes. Alternatively, an image of a potato representing each amount may be displayed.

[0186] On the other hand, if you ask for the frequency and amount of each food group in a set, such as how often you eat potatoes, how much you eat potatoes per serving, how often you eat natto / soybeans, how much you eat natto / soybeans per serving, you have to think about the eating frequency and the unit amount eaten at the same time, which requires more concentration. However, some users find it better to think about the eating frequency and the unit amount eaten at the same time.

[0187] Therefore, it is possible to provide two modes: one in which a set of questions about frequency and quantity is presented for each food group in order, and another in which questions about the frequency of eating and drinking for each food group are presented consecutively in a group, as in question screens 6B to 6E, and questions about the unit amount of eating and drinking for each food group are presented consecutively in a group, so that the questions are presented in the mode that the user prefers.

[0188] However, it is preferable to present questions about staple foods separately from questions about other food groups. Unlike other food groups, staple foods are often eaten every day, so it is better to ask about daily eating frequency rather than weekly eating frequency. In other words, the unit period for eating frequency is different.

[0189] Therefore, for example, the terminal device 3 presents the user with questions about the frequency of eating staple foods and the unit amount of food eaten by displaying the question screen 6A before questions about other food groups.

[0190] For all food groups other than staple foods, the frequency of eating and drinking is asked consecutively, and the unit amount of intake and intake is not asked consecutively. For example, the question about the unit amount of intake and intake of alcohol is presented separately from the unit amount of intake and intake of other food groups, as shown on question screen 6F.

[0191] Furthermore, when presenting questions on question screens 6A to 6F, parameter values ​​are associated in advance with each option, just as when presenting each question shown in Figures 10 to 14. Then, the nutrient intake calculation unit 283 of the evaluation server 2 calculates the average daily amount of each food group by substituting the parameter value corresponding to the selected option into a predetermined formula.

[0192] For example, of the four sub-questions in Figure 32(A), the first question is "How many times a day do you eat staple food?" The options "3 meals," "2 meals," "1 meal," and "never eat" are associated with parameter values ​​"21," "14," "7," and "0," respectively, in the same way as the options in Figure 10(A). Similarly, the five options in the second question are associated with parameter values ​​in the same way as the options in Figure 10(B). The same applies to the third and fourth questions.

[0193] Then, the nutritional intake calculation unit 283 calculates the average daily amounts of rice, bread, and noodles, i.e., rice amount M1, bread amount M2, and noodle amount M3, by substituting the parameter values ​​corresponding to the answers (selected options) to each of these four sub-questions into equations (1) to (3).

[0194] Alternatively, the first of the nine subquestions in Figure 32(B), i.e., the subquestion about the frequency of eating and drinking potatoes, has five options each associated with a parameter value similar to each option in Figure 10(E).Furthermore, the first of the nine subquestions in Figure 32(D), i.e., the subquestion about the unit amount of eating and drinking potatoes, has five options "low," "slightly low," "normal," "slightly high," and "high," each associated with parameter values ​​"60," "90," "120," "150," and "180."

[0195] Then, the nutritional intake calculation unit 283 calculates the average daily amount of potatoes, that is, the amount of potatoes M5, by substituting the parameter values ​​corresponding to the answers (selected options) to these two sub-questions into equation (5).

[0196] The same process is basically carried out for the other food groups. Each option in the sub-questions is associated with a parameter value, and the average daily amount is calculated by substituting the parameter value corresponding to the answer into the corresponding formula.

[0197] In order for the nutritional intake calculation unit 283 to use equations (15) to (22) and (25) to (30), the terminal device 3 may display the question screen 6F and then display the question screens shown in Figures 14(A) to (E), and present a question on reducing alcohol calories or reducing carbohydrates (a question similar to that in Figure 14(G)) on the question screen 6G, and have the user answer it.

[0198] Furthermore, in the questions in Figures 32 and 33, the subject may be asked to answer the amount of food and drink consumed in one day instead of the amount of food and drink consumed in one meal as the unit amount of food and drink consumed, or the amount of food and drink consumed in one meal instead of the amount of food and drink consumed in one day. The same applies to the questions shown in Figures 10 to 14. In either case, the above formulas can be used by appropriately changing the parameter values ​​or coefficients of the answers.

[0199] In this embodiment, the assessment server 2 manages the tables, evaluates health, etc., and calculates the intake of nutrients, etc., but the terminal device 3 may also be configured to perform these functions standalone. In this case, a program equivalent to the assessment program 2P (see FIG. 3) may be prepared and executed in the terminal device 3. Alternatively, the functions of the assessment server 2 may be distributed to multiple servers. For example, each table may be managed by a storage server, and the evaluation and calculation processes may be executed by other servers.

[0200] All tables stored in the evaluation server 2 may be made shareable with medical institutions. For example, each table in the evaluation server 2 may be made accessible from a terminal device at a medical institution. This allows not only the user himself / herself but also medical professionals such as doctors, registered dietitians, nutritionists, nurses, pharmacists, public health nurses, and care managers to refer to the user's information, supporting the prevention and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health, and further improving health policies.

[0201] In this embodiment, some of the questions asked about intake and consumption amounts in one-week units (see FIG. 10(D), etc.), but other time periods may be used as units. For example, it may be two weeks or one month.

[0202] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 14(A) to 14(C), for some questions, the target users were asked to rank the relative frequency of eating the food group corresponding to each option, and parameter values ​​were assigned to the options in descending order of their ranking.

[0203] However, eating frequency may also be answered in other ways. For example, the ratio of the number of times the food group corresponding to each option is eaten may be answered. The answered ratios may then be adjusted so that the sum total is 1, and this may be given as the parameter value for the food group corresponding to the option. For example, if the answered ratios for beef, pork, and chicken are γ1, γ2, and γ3, respectively, the parameter values ​​given may be γ1 / (γ1+γ2+γ3), γ2 / (γ1+γ2+γ3), and γ3 / (γ1+γ2+γ3), respectively.

[0204] Additionally, the overall or individual configurations of the nutritional evaluation support system 1, the evaluation server 2, and the terminal device 3, the processing content, the processing order, the table configuration, and the like can be modified as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0205] 1. Nutritional assessment support system (nutritional component intake calculation system) 206 Food intake information reception unit (answer acquisition means) 283 Nutritional intake calculation unit (food and drink amount calculation means, intake calculation means) 284 Nutritional intake data transmission unit (output means) 286 Advice data transmission unit (second output means)

Claims

1. An intake calculation system that calculates an intake, which is the amount of energy or nutritional components, which are nutrients, ingested by a subject for each of a plurality of foods, a dietary information acquisition means for acquiring a first overall eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks a first category out of a predetermined number of categories that divide a plurality of foods into one or more categories, a first unit eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of a specific food among the foods belonging to the first category eaten in one meal or in one day, and a first individual eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks other foods that are foods other than the specific food among the foods belonging to the first category; an intake amount calculation means for calculating a first intake amount, which is the amount of the specific food eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first unit intake amount and a value obtained by subtracting the first individual intake frequency of each of the other foods from the first overall intake frequency; and calculating a second intake amount, which is the amount of each of the other foods eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first individual intake frequency of the other foods, the first unit intake amount, and a predetermined constant for the other foods; an intake calculation means for calculating the intake of the specific food based on the content of the nutritional component of the specific food and the first intake amount, and for calculating the intake of each of the other foods based on the content of the nutritional component of each of the other foods and the second intake amount; A nutritional component intake calculation system comprising:

2. The first category is a staple food, and the specific food is rice. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 1 .

3. The dietary information acquisition means further acquires a second overall eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks food from a second category out of the predetermined number of categories, a second unit eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of food that the subject eats and drinks from the second category in one meal or in one day, and a relative eating and drinking frequency, which is the relative frequency with which the subject eats and drinks each of the β foods belonging to the second category; The eating and drinking amount calculation means further calculates a third eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of each of the β foods eaten by the subject, based on the product of the second overall eating and drinking frequency, the second unit eating and drinking amount, and the relative eating and drinking frequency of the food, The intake calculation means further calculates the intake of each of the β foods based on the content rate of the nutritional component of each of the foods and the third amount of food consumed. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The relative frequencies from 1st to βth positions are preset, The dietary information acquisition means has the subject respond to a ranking of the frequency of eating each of the β foods, and acquires a relative frequency corresponding to the ranking of the food as the relative eating frequency for each of the β foods. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 3 .

5. The dietary information acquisition means acquires the second overall eating and drinking frequency for each of the plurality of second categories via a first screen that asks about the second overall eating and drinking frequency collectively, and acquires the second unit eating and drinking amount for each of the second categories via a second screen that asks about the second unit eating and drinking amount collectively. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The second category is seafood, meat, processed meat and fish products, or confectioneries. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. the intake calculation means calculates the intake using a content rate according to the region or age of the subject; The nutritional component intake calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the intake calculation means calculates the intake using a content rate according to the region and age of the subject; The nutritional component intake calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. an output means for outputting the intake calculated by the intake calculation means; The nutritional component intake calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The output means outputs the intake amount together with a guideline intake amount of the nutritional component according to the subject's height, weight, disease, age, or health condition. The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 9 .

11. a second output means for outputting advice to the subject according to the intake amount and the recommended amount; The nutritional component intake calculation system according to claim 10.

12. An intake calculation method for calculating an intake, which is the amount of energy or nutritional components that a subject ingests for each of a plurality of foods, comprising: On the computer, execute a process to acquire a first overall eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks a first category out of a predetermined number of categories that divide the plurality of foods into one or more categories, a first unit eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of a specific food among the foods belonging to the first category eaten in one meal or in one day, and a first individual eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks other foods that are foods other than the specific food among the foods belonging to the first category; a process is executed to calculate a first intake amount, which is the amount of the specific food eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first unit intake amount and a value obtained by subtracting the first individual intake frequency of each of the other foods from the first overall intake frequency; and a process is executed to calculate a second intake amount, which is the amount of each of the other foods eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first individual intake frequency of the other foods, the first unit intake amount, and a predetermined constant for the other foods; calculating the intake of the specific food based on the content of the nutritional component of the specific food and the first intake amount, and calculating the intake of each of the other foods based on the content of the nutritional component of each of the other foods and the second intake amount; A method for calculating nutritional component intake.

13. A computer program used in a computer to calculate an intake, which is the amount of energy or nutritional components that a subject ingests for each of a plurality of foods, comprising: The computer, execute a process to acquire a first overall eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks a first category out of a predetermined number of categories that divide the plurality of foods into one or more categories, a first unit eating and drinking amount, which is the amount of a specific food among the foods belonging to the first category eaten in one meal or in one day, and a first individual eating and drinking frequency, which is the frequency with which the subject eats and drinks other foods that are foods other than the specific food among the foods belonging to the first category; a process is executed to calculate a first intake amount, which is the amount of the specific food eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first unit intake amount and a value obtained by subtracting the first individual intake frequency of each of the other foods from the first overall intake frequency; and a process is executed to calculate a second intake amount, which is the amount of each of the other foods eaten by the subject, based on the product of the first individual intake frequency of the other foods, the first unit intake amount, and a predetermined constant for the other foods; calculating the intake of the specific food based on the content of the nutritional component of the specific food and the first intake amount, and calculating the intake of each of the other foods based on the content of the nutritional component of each of the other foods and the second intake amount; A computer program characterized by:

Images