The feasibility of personal digital assistants (PDAs) to collect dietary intake data in low-income pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of using personal digital assistant (PDA)-based technology for tracking and analysis of food intake in low-income pregnant women.


METHODS
Descriptive. Participants provided an initial 24-hour dietary recall and recorded their food intake using a PDA-based software program for 2 days.


METHODS
Recruitment occurred during the prenatal intake visit at a health department-sponsored Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic.


METHODS
Nonprobability sampling was used to recruit 10 women. VARIABLE MEASURED: Demographics and a satisfaction rating scale for the 2 food recording methods. A Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated for each food record.


METHODS
Scores of the satisfaction rating scales were summarized. Paired t tests were used to analyze differences in HEIs obtained from the participants' 24-hour recall and PDA-based food records.


RESULTS
The PDA was significantly easier to use compared to the 24-hour recall, and no significant differences in ease of remembering food intake between these methods was noted. Most women liked the PDA and felt it was more accurate than 24-hour recalls. Results showed no significant difference in mean HEI scores between food records from 24-hour recall to PDA.


CONCLUSIONS
PDA-based software may be an acceptable method for obtaining food records to provide more accurate assessments of dietary intake in this vulnerable population.
Fowles
Eileen R
ER
School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78701-1499, USA. efowles@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Gentry
Breine
B
D000328:Adult; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins