Technology-based dietary assessment : development of the Synchronised Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP™)

Moore, H.J.; Hillier, F.C.; Batterham, A.M.; Ells, L.J.; Summerbell, C.D.

Abstract

Background: Accurate, reliable and feasible methods of dietary intake and physical activity assessment are required to improve our understanding of the associations between energy balance-related behaviours and health. Methods: The Synchronised Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP™) was developed to enhance recall in children by integrating new and established methods of dietary intake and physical activity recall. A list of commonly consumed foods (n = 40), drinks (n = 9) and physical activities (n = 29) was used in SNAP™. All foods and drinks were analysed by count (i.e. the number of times a particular food was selected), as a proxy indicator of dietary behaviours. All reported physical activities were assigned an intensity code [in metabolic equivalents (METs)] to determine minutes of moderate–vigorous activity (MVPA; ≥3 METs). Results: Most participants completed a whole day's recall (both dietary intake and physical activities) in less than 25 min. SNAP™ was compared against 24-h multiple pass questionnaire and accelerometry in 121 children (aged 7–15 years old). For dietary variables, the accuracy of SNAP™ (mean difference) was within ±1 count for the majority of food groups. The proportion of the sample with a between-method agreement within ±1 count ranged from 0.40 to 0.99. For MVPA, there was no substantial fixed or proportional bias, with a mean difference between methods (SNAP™ – accelerometry) of −9 min of MVPA. Qualitatively, participants have indicated that they find SNAP™ easy and fun to use. Conclusions: SNAP™ was developed to be a simple, quick and engaging method of assessing energy balance-related behaviours at a group or population level and succeeded because it can collect a whole day's recall (dietary intake and physical activities) in less than 25 min to a reasonable and acceptable degree of accuracy.

Citation

Moore, H., Hillier, F., Batterham, A., Ells, L., & Summerbell, C. (2014). Technology-based dietary assessment : development of the Synchronised Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP™). Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 27(Suppl.1), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-277x.2012.01295.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2013
• Journal: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• Print ISSN: 0952-3871
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-277X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: Suppl.1
• Pages: 36-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-277x.2012.01295.x
• Keywords: Children, Computer software, Diet, Physical activity, Recall.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1449706