Evaluation of a bar-code system for nutrient analysis in dietary surveys.
OBJECTIVE
A novel system for nutrient analysis has been developed and tested over 5 years. Its key features are a nutrient database of 600 commonly eaten foods (95% of foods eaten in 7-day surveys); a booklet identifying each food with a bar code, bar codes for gram weight and for portion sizes (small, medium, large) and a bar-code reader with dietary analysis software for PCs. In the present study the bar-code system has been evaluated by comparison with a commonly used manual entry nutrient analysis software for dietitians' use.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Glasgow city district.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty adults aged 18-65 years old.


RESULTS
Comparing mean intakes for macro- and micronutrients, using the Bland and Altman method, the bias between the two methods was small, ranging from 0.93 to 1.03. The bar-code system took significantly less professional time in data entry and nutrient analysis than the widely used manual system (29min per 7-day diary vs. 47 min per 7-day diary, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that the bar-code system offers greater speed with a saving of professional time needed for nutrient analysis of dietary surveys. This system is commended for maintaining accuracy while promoting economy.
Anderson
A S
AS
Centre for Applied Nutrition Research, University of Dundee, UK. a.s.anderson@dundee.ac.uk
Maher
L
L
Ha
T K
TK
Cooney
J
J
Eley
S
S
Martin
M
M
Vespasiani
G
G
Bruni
M
M
Lean
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology