Children's estimates of food portion size: the effect of timing of dietary interview on the accuracy of children's portion size estimates

For food intakes to be converted into nutrient intakes a measure or estimate of the amount of food consumed is required. A number of methods have been developed to assist subjects in providing an estimate of portion size. Children's ability to use perception, conceptualisation and memory skills to estimate food portion size has not been investigated systematically. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of the timing of a dietary interview on the accuracy of estimates of food portion sizes made by children, using food photographs, food models and an interactive portion size assessment system, developed for use with children and based on portion sizes of foods consumed by children. Children (n 108) aged 4–14 years were supplied with known quantities of foods and asked to estimate the portion size of each food using each of the three portion size assessment tools. Interviews took place (a) with the food in view, (b) just after the child had eaten the food or (c) 24 h after the child had eaten the food. There were no significant differences in children's ability to estimate food portion size (either as served or as eaten) with timing of interview. That is, children were as accurate in their estimates of portion size 24 h after consuming the food as when the food was in view. Under these conditions many children were able to estimate food portion size utilising perception, conceptualisation and memory skills.

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Accuracy of estimates of food portion size using food photographs – the importance of using age-appropriate tools

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2005872 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 509-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Emma Foster ◽

John NS Matthews ◽

Michael Nelson ◽

Julie M Harris ◽

John C Mathers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Original Data ◽

Portion Size ◽

Size Estimation ◽

Average Accuracy ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Food Portion ◽

Age Appropriate ◽

Portion Size Estimation ◽

Size Estimates ◽

Food Portion Size

AbstractBackgroundIn order to obtain a measure of nutrient intake, a measure or estimate of the amount of food consumed is required. Weighing foods imposes a large burden on subjects, often resulting in underreporting. Tools are available to assist subjects in providing an estimate of portion size and these include food photographs. The application of these tools in improving portion size estimation by children has not been investigated systematically.ObjectivesTo assess the accuracy with which children are able to estimate food portion sizes using food photographs designed for use with adults, and to determine whether the accuracy of estimates is improved when age-appropriate portion size photographs are provided.DesignOriginal data from three separate studies, on the accuracy of portion size estimates by adults using food photographs, by children using adult photographs and by children using age-appropriate photographs, are analysed and compared.SubjectsOne hundred and thirty-five adults aged 18 to 90 years and 210 children aged 4 to 11 years.ResultsChildren's estimates of portion sizes using age-appropriate food photographs were significantly more accurate (an underestimate of 1% on average) than estimates using photographs designed for use with adults (an overestimate of 45% on average). Accuracy of children's estimates of portion size using age-appropriate photographs was not significantly different from that of adults. Children overestimated a food's weight by 18% on average and adults underestimated by 5%.ConclusionsProviding children with food photographs depicting age-appropriate portion sizes greatly increases the accuracy of portion size estimates compared with estimates using photographs designed for use with adults.

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Integration of an Image-Based Dietary Assessment Paradigm into Dietetic Training Improves Food Portion Estimates by Future Dietitians

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

Dang Khanh Ngan Ho ◽

Wan-Chun Chiu ◽

Yu-Chieh Lee ◽

Hsiu-Yueh Su ◽

Chun-Chao Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Assessment ◽

Portion Size ◽

First Semester ◽

Remedial Teaching ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Food Portion ◽

Dietetic Students ◽

Medical University ◽

Size Estimates ◽

Food Portion Size

The use of image-based dietary assessments (IBDAs) has rapidly increased; however, there is no formalized training program to enhance the digital viewing skills of dieticians. An IBDA was integrated into a nutritional practicum course in the School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University Taiwan. An online IBDA platform was created as an off-campus remedial teaching tool to reinforce the conceptualization of food portion sizes. Dietetic students’ receptiveness and response to the IBDA, and their performance in food identification and quantification, were compared between the IBDA and real food visual estimations (RFVEs). No differences were found between the IBDA and RFVE in terms of food identification (67% vs. 71%) or quantification (±10% of estimated calories: 23% vs. 24%). A Spearman correlation analysis showed a moderate to high correlation for calorie estimates between the IBDA and RFVE (r ≥ 0.33~0.75, all p < 0.0001). Repeated IBDA training significantly improved students’ image-viewing skills [food identification: first semester: 67%; pretest: 77%; second semester: 84%) and quantification [±10%: first semester: 23%; pretest: 28%; second semester: 32%; and ±20%: first semester: 38%; pretest: 48%; second semester: 59%] and reduced absolute estimated errors from 27% (first semester) to 16% (second semester). Training also greatly improved the identification of omitted foods (e.g., condiments, sugar, cooking oil, and batter coatings) and the accuracy of food portion size estimates. The integration of an IBDA into dietetic courses has the potential to help students develop knowledge and skills related to “e-dietetics”.

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Analysis of the National Adult Nutrition Survey (Ireland) and the Food4Me Nutrition Survey Databases to Explore the Development of Food Labelling Portion Sizes for the European Union

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010006 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Gibney ◽

Aifric O’Sullivan ◽

Albert Flynn ◽

Janette Walton ◽

Hannelore Daniel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Survey Data ◽

Portion Size ◽

Food Labelling ◽

Food Diary ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Food Portion ◽

Food Portion Size ◽

The Eu

The present study set out to explore the option of developing food portion size for nutritional labelling purposes using two European Union (EU) dietary surveys. The surveys were selected as they differed in (a) methodologies (food diary versus food frequency questionnaire), (b) populations (Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) versus a seven-country survey based on the pan EU study Food4Me), (c) food quantification (multiple options versus solely photographic album) and (d) duration (4 consecutive days versus recent month). Using data from these studies, portion size was determined for 15 test foods, where portion size was defined as the median intake of a target food when consumed. The median values of the portion sizes derived from both the NANS and Food4Me surveys were correlated (r = 0.823; p < 0.00) and the mean of the two survey data sets were compared to US values from the Recognized as Customarily Consumed (RACC) database. There was very strong agreement across all food categories between the averaged EU and the US portion size (r = 0.947; p < 0.00). It is concluded that notwithstanding the variety of approaches used for dietary survey data in the EU, the present data supports using a standardized approach to food portion size quantification for food labelling in the EU.

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Children's estimates of food portion size: the development and evaluation of three portion size assessment tools for use with children

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s000711450779390x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 175-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

E. Foster ◽

J. N. S. Matthews ◽

J. Lloyd ◽

L. Marshall ◽

J. C. Mathers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Real Life ◽

Assessment System ◽

Portion Size ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Size Estimation ◽

School Food ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Real Life Situation ◽

Portion Size Estimation

A number of methods have been developed to assist subjects in providing an estimate of portion size but their application in improving portion size estimation by children has not been investigated systematically. The aim was to develop portion size assessment tools for use with children and to assess the accuracy of children's estimates of portion size using the tools. The tools were food photographs, food models and an interactive portion size assessment system (IPSAS). Children (n 201), aged 4–16 years, were supplied with known quantities of food to eat, in school. Food leftovers were weighed. Children estimated the amount of each food using each tool, 24 h after consuming the food. The age-specific portion sizes represented were based on portion sizes consumed by children in a national survey. Significant differences were found between the accuracy of estimates using the three tools. Children of all ages performed well using the IPSAS and food photographs. The accuracy and precision of estimates made using the food models were poor. For all tools, estimates of the amount of food served were more accurate than estimates of the amount consumed. Issues relating to reporting of foods left over which impact on estimates of the amounts of foods actually consumed require further study. The IPSAS has shown potential for assessment of dietary intake with children. Before practical application in assessment of dietary intake of children the tool would need to be expanded to cover a wider range of foods and to be validated in a ‘real-life’ situation.

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Analysis of the National Adult Nutrition Survey (Ireland) and the Food4Me Nutrition Survey Databases to Explore the Development of Food Labeling Portion Sizes for the European Union

10.20944/preprints201810.0394.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michael J. Gibney ◽

Aifric O'Sullivan ◽

Albert Flynn ◽

Janette Walton ◽

Hannelore Daniel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Survey Data ◽

Portion Size ◽

The European Union ◽

Food Diary ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Food Portion ◽

Food Portion Size ◽

The Eu

The present study set out to explore the option of developing food portion size for nutritional labelling purposes using two European Union (EU) dietary surveys. The surveys were selected as they differed in (a) methodologies (food diary v food frequency questionnaire), (b) populations (Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey: NANS) versus a seven-country based on the pan EU study Food4Me), (c) food quantification (multiple options v, solely photographic album) and (d) duration (4 consecutive days v recent month). Using data from these studies, portion size was determined for 15 test foods, where portion size was defined as the median intake of a target food when consumed. The median values of the portion sizes derived from both the NANS and Food4Me surveys were correlated (r = 0.823; P<0.00) and the mean of the two survey data sets were compared to US values from the Recognized as Customarily Consumed (RACC) database. There was very strong agreement across all food categories between the averaged EU and the US portion size (r = 0.947; P<0.00). It is concluded that notwithstanding the variety of approaches used for dietary survey data in the EU, the present data supports using a standardized approach to food portion size quantification for food labelling in the EU.

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Estimated portion sizes in a school-aged population

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012001140 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2193-2201 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sumaiya Patel ◽

Avni Vyas ◽

Adnan Custovic ◽

Clare S Murray

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Group ◽

Population Based ◽

Portion Size ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Nutrient Intakes ◽

Intra Class Correlation ◽

Portion Sizes ◽

Food Portion

AbstractObjectiveTo produce study-specific portion sizes for 11-year-old children in a population-based birth cohort and to compare these study-specific portion sizes with previously published children's portion sizes, to assess their relevance today.DesignTwo multiple-pass 24 h dietary recalls were taken. The Food Standard Agency's photographic food atlas was used to quantify intakes. Study-specific food portion sizes were calculated for each food group. Portion sizes were calculated for all children and separately for boys and girls. The nutrient intake from the 24 h dietary recalls was analysed using study-specific and published portion sizes for individual participants. Agreement was assessed using Pearson's correlation, intra-class correlation coefficients and the Bland–Altman method.SettingBirth cohort study, UK.SubjectsChildren (mean age 11·3 years, n 264) and parents/guardians.ResultsA total of 124 food portion sizes were calculated. Differences in portion weights between boys and girls were seen only for seven food items. There was a significant positive relationship (P < 0·001) between intakes of each nutrient as determined by the two sets of portion sizes. Correlation coefficients ranged from 0·77 (protein) to 0·98 (β-carotene). The intra-class correlation coefficients showed good agreement between nutrient intakes determined by the study-specific and published portion sizes (P < 0·001).ConclusionsNutrient intakes calculated using portion sizes from our population were similar to those calculated from portion size data collected in a national survey, despite being collected over a decade later. The present study adds to the small amount of evidence regarding portion sizes in UK children and shows agreement with previously published paediatric portion sizes.

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Influence of nutrition labelling on food portion size consumption

Appetite ◽

10.1016/j.appet.2013.02.013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 65 ◽

pp. 153-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Mary T. McCann ◽

Julie M.W. Wallace ◽

Paula J. Robson ◽

Kirsten L. Rennie ◽

Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Portion Size ◽

Nutrition Labelling ◽

Food Portion ◽

Food Portion Size

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Validity of photographs for food portion estimation in a rural West African setting

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007000870 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 581-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

L Huybregts ◽

D Roberfroid ◽

C Lachat ◽

J Van Camp ◽

P Kolsteren

Keyword(s):

West African ◽

Portion Size ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Group Level ◽

Size Estimation ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Food Items ◽

Food Portion ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Food Portion Size

AbstractObjectiveTo validate food photographs for food portion size estimation of frequently consumed dishes, to be used in a 24-hour recall food consumption study of pregnant women in a rural environment in Burkina Faso. This food intake study is part of an intervention evaluating the efficacy of prenatal micronutrient supplementation on birth outcomes.SubjectsWomen of childbearing age (15–45 years).DesignA food photograph album containing four photographs of food portions per food item was compiled for eight selected food items. Subjects were presented two food items each in the morning and two in the afternoon. These foods were weighed to the exact weight of a food depicted in one of the photographs and were in the same receptacles. The next day another fieldworker presented the food photographs to the subjects to test their ability to choose the correct photograph.ResultsThe correct photograph out of the four proposed was chosen in 55% of 1028 estimations. For each food, proportions of underestimating and overestimating participants were balanced, except for rice and couscous. On a group level, mean differences between served and estimated portion sizes were between −8.4% and 6.3%. Subjects who attended school were almost twice as likely to choose the correct photograph. The portion size served (small vs. largest sizes) had a significant influence on the portion estimation ability.ConclusionsThe results from this study indicate that in a West African rural setting, food photographs can be a valuable tool for the quantification of food portion size on group level.

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