Novel Mobile Application to Assess Dietary Information

Evaluation of a Novel Mobile Application to Assess Dietary Information

The study will assess the accuracy of food capture methods using a novel mobile application. This will be done by comparing the energy and nutrient content of reported foods against those of foods actually consumed (i.e., reported vs actual). Two methods of using the application will be tested:

1. During each eating occasion to report foods and amounts consumed
2. By taking photographs of every food consumed, using the camera functionality of the mobile application and using the application the following day (according to the availability of the study subjects) to report foods and amounts consumed. This is to be consistent with the concept of a 24-hour dietary recall.

One group will use a standard 24-hour dietary recall method.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Generally healthy men and women 18-65 years of age
• Eats a wide variety of foods from all food groups
• 18 ≤ body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2
• Ability to read and write in English
• iPhone (iOS 11 or higher) or Android phone (6 or higher) user willing to download the mobile application

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of active disease at screening that would prevent normal dietary intake and/or would result in weight loss (irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, etc.)
• Medical complications or chronic illness that would prevent full participation (e.g., active cancer)
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Diagnosed eating disorder
• Vegetarian
• Special dietary requirements or severe allergies that prevent the consumption of major food groups (e.g., gluten free, lactose free, Halal)
• Diagnosis of a mental health condition that has not been stable within the past 6 months
• Current or previous experience with dietary data collection or analysis
• Concurrent participation in another research study at any point during the study
• Availability and access to a tablet device (iPad, Android) only
• Shift workers
• Plan to partake in vigorous physical training/ exercise during the study period (e.g., training for or running a marathon)