Abstract

Methods for the treatment of obesity, overweight, compulsive overeating, emotional overeating, binge eating, bulimia and anorexia comprises the steps of monitoring physiological parameters in the esophageal and/or gastrointestinal tract which are associated with gastric relaxation, gastric filling, gastric contractions, gastric secretions, and gastric emptying. The measurement are transmitted either directly to a receiver or via radiotelemetry to a receiver. The receiver has a data processor associated therewith, and the data processor produces audio and/or visual feedback for the person under treatment to hear and/or see. This feedback is used for purposes of teaching behavior modification and other psychotherapeutic purposes. In the most simple form of the invention, a warning sound is generated by the data processor indicating when sufficient food has been ingested. This warning can be generated by the monitoring apparatus much sooner than the biological signal of fullness transmitted by the stomach to the brain of the person. The person can thereby discontinue eating before otherwise becoming unconsciously too full.