Effectiveness of cell phones and mypyramidtracker.gov to estimate fruit and vegetable intake

Abstract

Aim and background: Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake is linked to leading causes of global mortality and rise in obesity. Measuring fruit and vegetable intake is problematic. Advances in cell phone technologies may improve the accuracy and ease of recording diet. This study tested the effectiveness of using cell phones with digital pictures to prompt memory and mypyramidtracker.gov to estimate self-reported fruit and vegetable intake in 69 college students.

Methods: A repeated measures design was used. Focus groups provided feedback on the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of cell phones for diet recording in this population.

Results: A statistically significant difference in fruit and vegetable scores, F(1, 58)=4.64, p=.04, was supported between cell phone use for short-term memory prompt and mypyramidtracker.gov alone.

Conclusions: Cell phone pictures improved memory and accuracy of recall when using an online self-reported interactive diet record and was considered an easy, relevant, and accessible way to record diet.