Evaluation of a bar-code system for nutrient analysis in dietary surveys

Abstract

Objective: A novel system for nutrient analysis has been developed and tested over 5 years. Its key features are a nutrient database of 600 commonly eaten foods (95% of foods eaten in 7-day surveys); a booklet identifying each food with a bar code, bar codes for gram weight and for portion sizes (small, medium, large) and a bar-code reader with dietary analysis software for PCs. In the present study the bar-code system has been evaluated by comparison with a commonly used manual entry nutrient analysis software for dietitians' use. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Glasgow city district. Subjects: One hundred and sixty adults aged 18-65 years old. Results: Comparing mean intakes for macro-and micronutrients, using the Bland and Altman method 1 , the bias between the two methods was small, ranging from 0.93 to 1.03. The bar-code system took significantly less professional time in data entry and nutrient analysis than the widely used manual system (29 min per 7-day diary vs. 47 min per 7-day diary, P Ͻ 0.001). Conclusions: It is suggested that the bar-code system offers greater speed with a saving of professional time needed for nutrient analysis of dietary surveys. This system is commended for maintaining accuracy while promoting economy.

Free radical activity and lipid soluble anti‐oxidant vitamin status in patients with long‐term ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis

“…In addition plasma cholesterol levels were not significantly different in the two groups. Secondly, plasma lutein concentrations, which have been shown to be a good biomarker of total carotenoid intake and their bioavailability [26,27], were not significantly different in the control and IPAA groups suggesting that reduced absorption of carotenoids is unlikely to be the cause of observed differences in lycopene and a-and b-carotene levels between patients and controls. As the two groups were matched for age, smoking status and BMI which can influence antioxidant levels [28], the reduced plasma concentrations of lycopene and a-and b-carotene in IPAA patients observed in our study can probably largely be explained by increased turnover as a result of the increased oxidative stress.…”