Technology-Based Dietary Assessment in Youth with and Without Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Obesity prevalence is higher in children with developmental disabilities as compared to their typically developing peers. Research on dietary intake assessment methods in this vulnerable population is lacking. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and compare the nutrient intakes of two technology-based dietary assessment methods in children with-and-without developmental disabilities. This cross-sectional feasibility study was an added aim to a larger pilot study. Children (n = 12; 8–18 years) diagnosed with spina bifida, Down syndrome, or without disability were recruited from the larger study sample, stratified by diagnosis. Participants were asked to complete six days of a mobile food record (mFR™), a 24-h dietary recall via FaceTime® (24 HR-FT), and a post-study survey. Analysis included descriptive statistics for survey results and a paired samples t-test for nutrient intakes. All participants successfully completed six days of dietary assessment using both methods and acceptability was high. Energy (kcal) and protein (g) intake was significantly higher for the mFR™ as compared to the 24 HR-FT (p = 0.041; p = 0.014, respectively). Each method had strengths and weaknesses. The two technology-based dietary assessment tools were well accepted and when combined could increase accuracy of self-reported dietary assessment in children with-and-without disability.

Nutritional challenges in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

“…As children with DS grow older, additional methods may be required to provide adequate dietary data. Technology based methods like image-based mobile food records have been found to be accepted, feasible and promising for nutritional assessment in adolescents with DS (63,64).…”

Advancement in Dietary Assessment and Self-Monitoring Using Technology

“…Three articles are presented around the use of web-based methods, which in this special issue were applied in two of three studies to the 24-h recall method [9,10,11]. Interestingly, two studies explored the useability of technology-based methods in populations where use and acceptability might be questioned [9,10]. In one study by Polfuss et al, the usability of a technology-based 24-h recall was explored in individuals with and without disabilities, showing the methods were acceptable [10].…”

“…Interestingly, two studies explored the useability of technology-based methods in populations where use and acceptability might be questioned [9,10]. In one study by Polfuss et al, the usability of a technology-based 24-h recall was explored in individuals with and without disabilities, showing the methods were acceptable [10]. Another study in low income adults identified a range of useability issues with the automated self-administered dietary assessment tool (ASA24), including the misunderstanding of questions and uncertainties concerning how to proceed to the next step [9].…”

Digital disruption of dietetics: are we ready?

“…A review found that one‐third of such tools used image‐based methods and two‐thirds used integrated databases to estimate energy or nutrient intakes using predominantly self‐reported data ( 30 ) . In addition to mobile apps to assess dietary intake ( 22 ) , technology‐assisted dietary assessment includes web‐based methods in individuals with and without disabilities ( 31 ) and automated electronic methods among low income adults ( 32 ) . Some devices have been proposed to automatically scan and track dietary intake ( 33 ) and analyse food diaries for their nutrient profiles using machine learning algorithms by photographing meals ( 34 ) .…”