The Development, Validation, and User Evaluation of Foodbook24: A Web-Based Dietary Assessment Tool Developed for the Irish Adult Population

Abstract

BackgroundThe application of technology in the area of dietary assessment has resulted in the development of an array of tools, which are often specifically designed for a particular country or region.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the development, validation, and user evaluation of a Web-based dietary assessment tool “Foodbook24.”MethodsFoodbook24 is a Web-based, dietary assessment tool consisting of a 24-hour dietary recall (24HDR) and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) alongside supplementary questionnaires. Validity of the 24HDR component was assessed by 40 participants, who completed 3 nonconsecutive, self-administered 24HDR using Foodbook24 and a 4-day semi-weighed food diary at separate time points. Participants also provided fasted blood samples and 24-hour urine collections for the identification of biomarkers of nutrient and food group intake during each recording period. Statistical analyses on the nutrient and food group intake data derived from each method were performed in SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc). Mean nutrient intakes (and standard deviations) recorded using each method of dietary assessment were calculated. Spearman and Pearson correlations, Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Paired t test were used to investigate the agreement and differences between the nutritional output from Foodbook24 (test method) and the 4-day semi-weighed food diary (reference method). Urinary and plasma biomarkers of nutrient intake were used as an objective validation of Foodbook24. To investigate the user acceptability of Foodbook24, participants from different studies involved with Foodbook24 were asked to complete an evaluation questionnaire.ResultsFor nutrient intake, correlations between the dietary assessment methods were acceptable to very good in strength and statistically significant (range r=.32 to .75). There were some significant differences between reported mean intakes of micronutrients recorded by both methods; however, with the exception of protein (P=.03), there were no significant differences in the reporting of energy or macronutrient intake. Of the 19 food groups investigated in this analysis, there were significant differences between 6 food groups reported by both methods. Spearman correlations for biomarkers of nutrient and food group intake and reported intake were similar for both methods. A total of 118 participants evaluated the acceptability of Foodbook24. The tool was well-received and the majority, 67.8% (80/118), opted for Foodbook24 as the preferred method for future dietary intake assessment when compared against a traditional interviewer led recall and semi-weighed food diary.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate the validity and user acceptability of Foodbook24. The results also highlight the potential of Foodbook24, a Web-based dietary assessment method, and present a viable alternative to nutritional surveillance in Ireland.

Validation of a self-administered web-based 24-hour dietary recall among pregnant women

“…Our results are similar to those of Frankenfeld et al (2012) [ 34 ], who compared 2 web-based 24-h dietary recalls (ASA24) with a 4-day dietary record in 93 non pregnant Americans and found correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.06 to 0.76. Similarly, Timon et al (2017) [ 35 ] compared 2 web-based 24-h dietary recalls (Foodbook24) with a 4-day FR among 40 non pregnant adults and observed correlation coefficients ranging from 0.32 to 0.75, which is also comparable to our results.…”

“…Overall, intakes reported by the R24W were higher than those reported by the FR for 17 out of 26 variables. Similar results were obtained by Timon et al (2017) [ 35 ], where significant differences between the Web-based 24HR and the FR were observed in intakes of % fat, protein, dietary fibers, riboflavin, iron, potassium and sodium. In comparison, De Keyzer et al (2011) [ 37 ] compared two computer assisted 24-h recalls (24HR) with a 5-day FR and found significant differences between intakes of energy and 8 nutrients (fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, alcohol, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin and iron) reported by both tools.…”

A Dietary Assessment App for Hospitalized Patients at Nutritional Risk: Development and Evaluation of the MyFood App

“…The majority of the food groups showed good agreement between MyFood and the photograph method on the group level. Good agreement in recording of food groups is consistent with findings from a validation study on a dietary assessment app for smartphones compared to repeated 24 h recall interviews [ 40 ] and Foodbook24; a Web-based dietary assessment tool [ 41 ]. The median intake of bread and cereals was higher in MyFood compared to the photograph method both recording days.…”

A Dietary Assessment App for Hospitalized Patients at Nutritional Risk: Development and Evaluation of the MyFood App (Preprint)

“…Good agreement in recording of food groups is consistent with findings from a validation study on a dietary assessment application for smartphones compared to repeated 24 h recall interviews [40] and Foodbook24; a web-based dietary assessment tool [41]. The median intake of bread and cereals was higher in MyFood compared to the reference method both recording days.…”