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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #289716
Title: Validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method for use with preschool children: a pilot study

Author
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LSU Agcenter
item STUFF, JANICE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item GOODELL, LORA - North Carolina State University
item LIU, YAN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MARTIN, CORBY - Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2012
Publication Date: 11/20/2012
Citation: Nicklas, T.A., O'Neil, C.E., Stuff, J.E., Goodell, L.S., Liu, Y., Martin, C.K. 2012. Validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method for use with preschool children: a pilot study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 44:618-623.

Interpretive Summary: Accurate methods of dietary assessment in young children are needed to determine whether their diets are adequate for normal growth and development. We assessed the validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method. The digital diet estimated weights of food were highly correlated with the actual weights but were slightly lower than the correlation reported in two studies conducted in a cafeteria setting. This method can serve as a methodological foundation for incorporating more technological innovations, such as cell phones using computer imaging algorithms, for reducing the burden on the respondents and research staff by measuring food intake in near real-time, free-living conditions.

Technical Abstract: The goal of the study was to assess the validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method for use with preschool children in Head Start. Preschool children and their caregivers participated in validation (n=22) and feasibility (n=24) pilot studies. Validity was determined in the metabolic research unit using actual gram weight measurements as the reference method. Feasibility of using the digital diet estimation method was determined in Head Start and the home by assessing three separate lunch and dinner meals. The average correlation between estimated weights and actual weights was 0.96 (p<0.001) and the average mean difference was 10.6 grams. The digital diet estimates were 5% lower than the actual weights. The digital diet estimation method may be a valid and feasible method for assessing food intake of preschool children.