Agreement between an Image-Based Dietary Assessment Method and a Written Food Diary among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Valid and useful dietary assessment methods for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are needed. In this study, we compared an image-based method with a written food diary for dietary intake estimation among adolescents with T1D and evaluated the adolescents’ experiences of the methods. Adolescents with T1D aged 13 to 18 years (n = 13) photographed their meals (n = 264) with a mobile phone camera and simultaneously kept a written food diary for four consecutive days. The participants filled out electronic background and feedback questionnaires. The agreement between the methods was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland–Altman plot analyses. The agreement between the methods was moderate to excellent for the energy intake (ICC = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66 to 0.97, p < 0.001) and good to excellent for total carbohydrate intake (ICC = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.99, p < 0.001). The adolescents considered photographing easier and faster than keeping a food diary. In conclusion, the image-based method appeared comparable to the food diary for dietary intake estimation among adolescents with T1D. The photographing of meals may become a useful dietary assessment tool for adolescents with T1D, but must be further developed and validated.

Tailored Prompting to Improve Adherence to Image-Based Dietary Assessment: Mixed Methods Study

“…Overall, participants reported preference for the image-based dietary record compared to the text-based dietary record, a finding consistent with prior work [ 24-26 ]. This preference is notable, as the image-based dietary record did not provide nutritional feedback, and the app was not designed to use images as the primary input method.…”

Development and validation of a smartphone image-based app for dietary intake assessment among Palestinian undergraduates

“…In Malaysia, it was also reported that using smart apps in dietary assessment among young university students was a well-accepted and valid method 16 . The same findings were reported in other studies conducted among specific populations such as type 2 DM 17 children with type 1 DM 18 and pregnant women 19 . Nevertheless, it is important to consider the cultural differences in ingredients, meal presentations, cooking methods and consumption style when using the smart apps in dietary assessment.…”

A Mixed-Method Study Exploring Experiences and Perceptions of Nutritionists Regarding Use of an Image-Based Dietary Assessment System in Tanzania

“…Previous research with pregnant women in Australia found similar results, with participants reporting that it was easy to use the smartphone app to collect dietary intake [ 15 ]. Additionally, a study involving adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Finland found consistent results, with the majority (85%) finding it was easy to record food intake by mobile phone [ 21 ]. Participating nutritionists in the current study commented that it was easy to forget to record some eating occasions, particularly snacks and water, especially when consumed in places where it is hard to take photos, for example, in public transport.…”