Computerized dietary assessments compare well with interviewer administered diet histories for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the primary healthcare setting.
OBJECTIVE
To test repeatability and relative validity of a computerized and interviewer administered assessment.


METHODS
Using a context-based case-control trial, 41 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized into four groups to complete dietary assessments (computerized or interviewer administered) at 0, 2 and 8 weeks and food records at 0 and 2 weeks. Repeatability of reported energy, total fat, saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids between the computerized and interviewer administered methods were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Paired t-tests and Pearson's correlations determined relative validity of the assessments.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients completed all visits. Statistically significant differences were found between computerized and interviewer administered data for total fat (p=0.048) and saturated fatty acids (p=0.019) between 0 and 2 weeks. Computerized assessments correlated better with food records (r=0.16-0.52) compared with interviewer administered assessments (r=-0.02 to 0.51).


CONCLUSIONS
Computerized assessments saw a learning effect with repeated use indicating that users were becoming more familiar with the website with repeated use. Relative validity suggests that the website may capture more foods though this requires further investigation.


CONCLUSIONS
By allowing patients to self-report their intakes on a computer, dietitians will have the ability to spend increased time with their patients counseling them toward change.
Probst
Yasmine C
YC
University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. yasmine@uow.edu.au
Faraji
Serina
S
Batterham
Marijka
M
Steel
David G
DG
Tapsell
Linda C
LC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors