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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Dietary Prevention of Obesity-related Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265617

Title: Validity of electronic assessment methods compared to RD analysis of diet records

Author
item SCHEETT, ANGELA - University Of North Dakota
item JOHNSON, LUANN - University Of North Dakota
item Raatz, Susan

Submitted to: American Dietetic Association Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2011
Publication Date: 9/2/2011
Citation: Scheett, A., Johnson, L.K., Raatz, S.K. 2011. Validity of electronic assessment methods compared to RD analysis of diet records [abstract]. American Dietetic Association Annual Meeting. 111(9):A22(Suppl. 2).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Assessment of dietary intake by diet records (DR) is a standard research and practice tool. However, manual entry and analysis of DR is time-consuming. New electronic tools for diet entry by clients and research participants may reduce the RD effort spent in diet entry. In order to determine the validity of electronic DR, we compared responses to 3-day DR kept by Tap and Track™ software for the Apple iPod touch™ and records kept on the Nutrihand® website to DR entered by the RD into a customized USDA Program for 12 participants in an ongoing study. During 2 tracking periods, participants kept written DR and were randomly assigned to one of each of the electronic methods. Although not statistically different, relative to the corresponding RD entered DR, concordance of the electronic records was as follows (Mean % ± SD; Nutrihand® and Tap and Track™, respectively): Energy 96.7 ± 15.1, 93.2 ± 39.8; carbohydrate 102.5 ± 18.7, 96.2 ± 37.3; fiber 86.9 ± 20.0, 76.5 ± 36.7; sugar 83.2 ± 27.8, 104.5 ± 43.4; protein 90.8 ± 18.4, 90.2 ± 43.0; fat 93.1 ± 17.7, 91.4 ± 47.7; sodium 94.4 ± 30.0, 104.2 ± 55.0. In comparison to RD entered 3-day DR, electronic methods resulted in no significant difference in means but much larger variability, particularly with Tap and Track™. Electronic DR capture may be appropriate for diet monitoring and to reduce RD work load.