Development of a field-friendly automated dietary assessment tool and nutrient database for India

Studies of diet and disease risk in India and among other Asian-Indian populations are hindered by the need for a comprehensive dietary assessment tool to capture data on the wide variety of food and nutrient intakes across different regions and ethnic groups. The nutritional component of the India Health Study, a multicentre pilot cohort study, included 3908 men and women, aged 35–69 years, residing in three regions of India (New Delhi in the north, Mumbai in the west and Trivandrum in the south). We developed a computer-based, interviewer-administered dietary assessment software known as the ‘NINA-DISH (New Interactive Nutrition Assistant – Diet in India Study of Health)’, which consisted of four sections: (1) a diet history questionnaire with defined questions on frequency and portion size; (2) an open-ended section for each mealtime; (3) a food-preparer questionnaire; (4) a 24 h dietary recall. Using the preferred meal-based approach, frequency of intake and portion size were recorded and linked to a nutrient database that we developed and modified from a set of existing international databases containing data on Indian foods and recipes. The NINA-DISH software was designed to be easily adaptable and was well accepted by the interviewers and participants in the field. A predominant three-meal eating pattern emerged; however, patterns in the number of foods reported and the primary contributors to macro- and micronutrient intakes differed by region and demographic factors. The newly developed NINA-DISH software provides a much-needed tool for measuring diet and nutrient profiles across the diverse populations of India with the potential for application in other South Asian populations living throughout the world.

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Self-reported dietary energy intake of normal weight, overweight and obese adolescents

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980008003108 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 222-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Vivienne A Vance ◽

Sarah J Woodruff ◽

Linda J McCargar ◽

Janice Husted ◽

Rhona M Hanning

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Status ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Total Sample ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Dietary Energy ◽

Web Based ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

The Mean

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present paper was to assess dietary energy reporting as a function of sex and weight status among Ontario and Alberta adolescents, using the ratio of energy intake (EI) to estimated BMR (BMRest).DesignData were collected using the FBQ, a validated web-based dietary assessment tool (including a 24 h dietary recall, FFQ, and food and physical activity behavioural questions). BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight and participants were classified as normal weight, overweight or obese. BMR was calculated using the WHO equations (based on weight). Reporting status was identified using the ratio EI:BMRest.SettingData were collected in public, Catholic and private schools in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.SubjectsA total of 1917 (n876 male andn1041 female) students (n934 grade 9 andn984 grade 10) participated.ResultsThe mean EI:BMRestratio across all participants was 1·4 (sd0·6), providing evidence of under-reporting for the total sample. Females under-reported more than males (t= 6·27,P< 0·001), and under-reporting increased with increasing weight status for both males (F= 33·21,P< 0·001) and females (F= 14·28,P< 0·001). After removing those who reported eating less to lose weight, the EI:BMRestwas 1·56 (sd0·6) for males and 1·4 (sd0·6) for females.ConclusionThe present study highlights methodological challenges associated with self-reported dietary data. Systematic differences in under-reporting of dietary intake by gender and weight status were observed using a web-based survey, similar to observations made using paper-based 24 h recalls and dietitian interviews.

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Exploring the Feasibility of Use of An Online Dietary Assessment Tool (myfood24) in Women with Gestational Diabetes

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10091147 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1147 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carla Gianfrancesco ◽

Zoe Darwin ◽

Linda McGowan ◽

Debbie Smith ◽

Roz Haddrill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Management Tool ◽

Food Record ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Lower Socioeconomic ◽

System Usability Scale

myfood24 is an online 24 hr dietary recall tool developed for nutritional epidemiological research. Its clinical application has been unexplored. This mixed methods study explores the feasibility and usability of myfood24 as a food record in a clinical population, women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Women were asked to complete five myfood24 food records, followed by a user questionnaire (including the System Usability Scale (SUS), a measure of usability), and were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Of the 199 participants, the mean age was 33 years, mean booking body mass index (BMI) 29.7 kg/m2, 36% primiparous, 57% White, 33% Asian. Of these, 121 (61%) completed myfood24 at least once and 73 (37%) completed the user questionnaire; 15 were interviewed. The SUS was found to be good (mean 70.9, 95% CI 67.1, 74.6). Interviews identified areas for improvement, including optimisation for mobile devices, and as a clinical management tool. This study demonstrates that myfood24 can be used as an online food record in a clinical population, and has the potential to support self-management in women with GDM. However, results should be interpreted cautiously given the responders’ demographic characteristics. Further research to explore the barriers and facilitators of uptake in people from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds is recommended.

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Development and evaluation of image-series for portion size estimation in dietary assessment among adults

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2020.58 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Lorentz Salvesen ◽

Dagrun Engeset ◽

Nina C. Øverby ◽

Anine C. Medin

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Portion Size ◽

Estimation Accuracy ◽

Size Estimation ◽

Web Based ◽

Food Items ◽

Image Series ◽

Portion Size Estimation

Abstract Portion size images are advantageous in dietary assessment. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate new culturally specific image-series for portion size estimation to be used in a new Norwegian version of a British web-based dietary assessment tool (myfood24). Twenty-three image-series of different foods, each containing seven portion size images, were created and validated in a group of adults (n 41, 58 % female) aged 19–44 (median 23), out of which 63 % had higher (tertiary) education. The participants compared 46 portions of pre-weighed foods to the portion size images (1886 comparisons in total). Portion size estimations were either classified as correct, adjacent or misclassified. The weight discrepancy in percentage between the chosen and the correct portion size image was also calculated. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to explore if portion size estimation accuracy differed across sample characteristics, or if it depended on how the foods were presented. For thirty-eight of the forty-six presented food items, the participants selected the correct or adjacent portion size image 98 % on average. The remaining eight food items were on average misclassified by 27 % of the participants. Overall, a mean weight discrepancy of 2⋅5 % was observed between the chosen and the correct portion size images. Females estimated portion size more accurately than males (P = 0⋅019). No other significant differences in estimation accuracy were observed. In conclusion, the new image-series performed satisfactorily, except for the image-series depicting bread, caviar spread and marzipan cake, which will be altered. The present study demonstrates the importance of validating portion size estimation tools.

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Assessing the Usability of the Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) among Low-Income Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010132 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 132 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Julia Kupis ◽

Sydney Johnson ◽

Gregory Hallihan ◽

Dana Olstad

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Low Income ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Success Rates ◽

Web Based ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Usability Issue ◽

Survey Responses

The Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) is a web-based tool that guides participants through completion of a 24-h dietary recall and automatically codes the data. Despite the advantages of automation, eliminating interviewer contact may diminish data quality. Usability testing can assess the extent to which individuals can use the ASA24 to report dietary intake with efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. This mixed-methods study evaluated the usability of the ASA24 to quantify user performance and to examine qualitatively usability issues in a sample of low-income adults (85% female, 48.2 years on average) participating in a nutrition coupon program. Thirty-nine participants completed a 24-h dietary recall using the ASA24. Audio and screen recordings, and survey responses were analyzed to calculate task times, success rates, and usability issue frequency. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to characterize usability issues. Only one participant was able to complete a dietary recall unassisted. We identified 286 usability issues within 22 general usability categories, including difficulties using the search function, misunderstanding questions, and uncertainty regarding how to proceed to the next step; 71.4% of participants knowingly misentered dietary information at least once. Usability issues may diminish participation rates and compromise the quality of ASA24 dietary intake data. Researchers should provide on-demand technical support and designers should improve the intelligence and flexibility of the ASA24’s search functionality.

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Abstract P206: Diet Quality is Lower Among Adolescents Who Skip Lunch

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.141.suppl_1.p206 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Spencer M Clason ◽

Lori Spruance ◽

Leann Myers ◽

Keelia O'Malley ◽

Carolyn Johnson

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

School Setting ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Quality Diet

Introduction: A healthy diet is key in preventing chronic diseases and black adults have higher rates of hypertension, obesity, and heart disease death rates compared to their white counterparts. Because dietary habits track from adolescence to adulthood, it is important to understand dietary habits of adolescents. This study aimed to examine the dietary quality among adolescents who skip lunch compared to those who do not. Methods: Data were collected in 2012 from 718 adolescents attending schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. Schools were high-poverty and closed-campus. Adolescents participated in a 24-hour dietary recall using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool and data were converted into Healthy Eating Index (HEI-10) scores (range 0-100; higher scores reflect higher quality diet). Mean scores were compared between students who skipped lunch and those who did not. Results: Of the 718 respondents, 88.3% were black and 15.3% of students skipped lunch. Students who ate lunch had a mean HEI score of 46.6 compared to a mean score of 41.7 for students who skipped lunch (p<0.001). Students who skipped lunch also had significantly lower intake of total vegetables, whole fruits, total dairy, total protein, and higher intake of empty calories (Solid fats, alcohols, and added sugars (SoFASS)). Conclusions: Skipping lunch was associated with lower quality diet, though diet quality was low among all students. Students who skip lunch are less likely to consume vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, and proteins and have higher intake of SoFASS. Considering over 15% of the sample did not eat lunch in a closed-campus school setting, further research should consider how to encourage students to participate in the National School Lunch Program. Table 1. HEI score comparisons between those who skip and do not skip lunch.

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Nutrient Estimation from 24-Hour Food Recalls Using Machine Learning and Database Mapping: A Case Study with Lactose

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11123045 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3045 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elizabeth L. Chin ◽

Gabriel Simmons ◽

Yasmine Y. Bouzid ◽

Annie Kan ◽

Dustin J. Burnett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Learning Models ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Manual Curation ◽

The Status ◽

Food Recalls ◽

Recall System ◽

Machine Learning Models

The Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) is a free dietary recall system that outputs fewer nutrients than the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR). NDSR uses the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) Food and Nutrient Database, both of which require a license. Manual lookup of ASA24 foods into NDSR is time-consuming but currently the only way to acquire NCC-exclusive nutrients. Using lactose as an example, we evaluated machine learning and database matching methods to estimate this NCC-exclusive nutrient from ASA24 reports. ASA24-reported foods were manually looked up into NDSR to obtain lactose estimates and split into training (n = 378) and test (n = 189) datasets. Nine machine learning models were developed to predict lactose from the nutrients common between ASA24 and the NCC database. Database matching algorithms were developed to match NCC foods to an ASA24 food using only nutrients (“Nutrient-Only”) or the nutrient and food descriptions (“Nutrient + Text”). For both methods, the lactose values were compared to the manual curation. Among machine learning models, the XGB-Regressor model performed best on held-out test data (R2 = 0.33). For the database matching method, Nutrient + Text matching yielded the best lactose estimates (R2 = 0.76), a vast improvement over the status quo of no estimate. These results suggest that computational methods can successfully estimate an NCC-exclusive nutrient for foods reported in ASA24.

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Agreement between an online dietary assessment tool (myfood24) and an interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recall in British adolescents aged 11–18 years

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114516000593 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 115 (9) ◽

pp. 1678-1686 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Salwa A. Albar ◽

Nisreen A. Alwan ◽

Charlotte E. L. Evans ◽

Darren C. Greenwood ◽

Janet E. Cade

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

New Technology ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Limited Information ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Face To Face ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Adolescents And Adults

Abstractmyfood24 Is an online 24-h dietary assessment tool developed for use among British adolescents and adults. Limited information is available regarding the validity of using new technology in assessing nutritional intake among adolescents. Thus, a relative validation of myfood24 against a face-to-face interviewer-administered 24-h multiple-pass recall (MPR) was conducted among seventy-five British adolescents aged 11–18 years. Participants were asked to complete myfood24 and an interviewer-administered MPR on the same day for 2 non-consecutive days at school. Total energy intake (EI) and nutrients recorded by the two methods were compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman plots (using between and within-individual information) and weighted κ to assess the agreement. Energy, macronutrients and other reported nutrients from myfood24 demonstrated strong agreement with the interview MPR data, and ICC ranged from 0·46 for Na to 0·88 for EI. There was no significant bias between the two methods for EI, macronutrients and most reported nutrients. The mean difference between myfood24 and the interviewer-administered MPR for EI was −230 kJ (−55 kcal) (95 % CI −490, 30 kJ (−117, 7 kcal); P=0·4) with limits of agreement ranging between 39 % (3336 kJ (−797 kcal)) lower and 34 % (2874 kJ (687 kcal)) higher than the interviewer-administered MPR. There was good agreement in terms of classifying adolescents into tertiles of EI (κw=0·64). The agreement between day 1 and day 2 was as good for myfood24 as for the interviewer-administered MPR, reflecting the reliability of myfood24. myfood24 Has the potential to collect dietary data of comparable quality with that of an interviewer-administered MPR.

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Abstract 029: The Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall (ASA24): A Research Resource from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.125.suppl_10.a029 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽

Author(s):

Amy F Subar ◽

Sharon I Kirkpatrick ◽

Beth Mittl ◽

Thea P Zimmerman ◽

Frances E Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Software Tool ◽

Food Group ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Portion Size ◽

Health Study ◽

Food Level ◽

High Quality ◽

Language Version

Introduction: Extensive evidence has demonstrated that 24-hour dietary recalls (24HRs) provide high-quality dietary intake data with minimal bias, making them the preferred tool for nutrition monitoring and, potentially, for studying diet and disease associations. Traditional 24HRs, however, are expensive and impractical for large-scale research because they rely on trained interviewers, and require multiple administrations to estimate usual intakes. To address these challenges, NCI developed ASA24. System: The ASA24 system is a publicly available web-based software tool that enables automated and self-administered 24HRs for epidemiologic, intervention, behavioral, or clinical research. ASA24 consists of a Respondent application used by participants to enter recall data and a Researcher application used by researchers to manage study logistics and obtain nutrient and food level data. The format and design of the Respondent application are modeled on USDA’s interviewer-administered Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM) 24HR, which uses multi-level food probes to assess food types and amounts. A Beta version of ASA24, released in 2009, has been used by over 100 researchers to collect over 20,000 recalls. Version 1 of ASA24, released in September 2011, offers improved functionality, features, and usability. Respondents report their intakes using a list of foods and beverages from USDA’s most current Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS 4.1). Multiple images are shown to help respondents estimate portion size. ASA24 allows respondents to: 1) find foods and beverages by browsing or searching, 2) move or copy a food or beverage to a different meal, edit a meal, adjust reported amounts, or correct double reports, 3) review a final list of the day’s intake, and 4) access help. Resulting data files include food codes, nutrients, and MyPyramid food group equivalents for each day and each food, as well as variables to calculate Healthy Eating Index scores. Additional optional modules querying location of meals, who one ate with, TV/computer use during meals, and supplement intake are available, as well as a Spanish language version. Evaluation: ASA24 will be compared to traditional interviewer-administered recalls in a large sample of adults and within a smaller feeding study. The measurement error structure of ASA24 will be evaluated against doubly-labeled water and multiple 24-hour urinary nitrogen collections in three large on-going cohorts (NCI’s AARP Diet and Health Study, and Harvard’s Nurses Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study). Conclusion: ASA24 has the potential to improve dietary assessment by enhancing the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of collecting high-quality dietary data.

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Use of Online Dietary Recalls among Older UK Adults: A Feasibility Study of an Online Dietary Assessment Tool

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11071451 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1451 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Heather Ward ◽

Heather McLellan ◽

Chi Udeh-Momoh ◽

Parthenia Giannakopoulou ◽

Catherine Robb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Technology Readiness ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Multivariable Regression Models

This study examined the feasibility of including myfood24, an online 24-hour dietary recall tool, in a cohort studies of older adults. Participants (n = 319) were recruited during follow-up visits for the CHARIOT-Pro Sub-study, a prospective study of cognitively healthy adults aged 60–85 years at baseline. Email invitations were sent over three consecutive months, with weekly reminders. Multivariable regression models were applied to examine the number of recalls completed in relation to technology readiness (TR) scores and demographic characteristics. Ninety-four percent of people agreed to participate. Among participants, 67% completed at least one recall, and 48% completed two or more. Participants who completed multiple recalls reported higher self-confidence with technology and received a higher TR score than those who did not complete any recalls. A one-point higher TR score was associated with higher odds of completing three recalls compared to zero recalls (OR 1.70, 95% CI 0.96–3.01); this association was further attenuated after adjustment for demographic and other TR-related covariates (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.63–2.88). This study demonstrates reasonable participation rates for a single myfood24 recall among older adults participating in a cohort study but suggests that further support may be required to obtain multiple recalls in this population.

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Accuracy of Parental Reporting of Preschoolers’ Dietary Intake Using an Online Self-Administered 24-h Recall

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10080987 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 987 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Angela Wallace ◽

Sharon Kirkpatrick ◽

Gerarda Darlington ◽

Jess Haines

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Portion Size ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Web Based ◽

Plate Waste ◽

Daycare Centre ◽

Parental Reports ◽

Eating Occasions

Parents are typically relied upon to report young children’s dietary intake. However, there has been limited research assessing the accuracy of such reports captured using novel dietary assessment tools. The purpose of the current study was to assess the validity of the web-based Automated Self-Administered 24-h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24-Canada) for capturing dietary intake among children aged two-five years (n = 40), using parental proxy reporting. The study was conducted in a daycare setting, allowing for standardization of foods and drinks offered and direct observation of intake. Parental-reported intake was compared to true intake for lunch and dinner, as well as an afternoon snack, on a single day. Each eating occasion, including plate waste, was unobtrusively documented. Parents were not present for lunch or the afternoon snack, but joined their children at the daycare centre for the dinner meal. The following day, parents reported their children’s intake from the previous 24-h period using ASA24-Canada. For the eating occasions assessed, parents reported exact or close matches for 79.2% (82.3% for lunch, 81.2% for the snack, and 77.4% for dinner) of the foods and beverages truly consumed by children. Estimates of intake for energy and macronutrients examined (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) based on parental reports were higher than those based on true (observed) intake. Our findings suggest that parents are able to report what their preschool children eat and drink relatively accurately. However, the accuracy of portion size estimates is low. Strategies to enhance portion size reporting are needed to improve parental proxy reporting.

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