Validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method for use with preschool children: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the study was to assess the validity and feasibility of a digital diet estimation method for use with preschool children in Head Start.


METHODS
Preschool children and their caregivers participated in validation (n = 22) and feasibility (n=24) pilot studies. Validity was determined in the metabolic research unit using actual gram weight measurements as the reference method. Feasibility of using the digital diet estimation method was determined in Head Start and in the home by assessing 3 separate lunch and dinner meals.


RESULTS
The average correlation between estimated weights and actual weights was 0.96 (P < .001), and the average mean difference was 10.6 g. The digital diet estimates were 5% lower than the actual weights.


CONCLUSIONS
The digital diet estimation method may be a valid and feasible method for assessing food intake of preschool children.
United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. tnicklas@bcm.tmc.edu
Theresa A
TA
Nicklas
Carol E
CE
O'Neil
Janice
J
Stuff
Lora Suzanne
LS
Goodell
Yan
Y
Liu
Corby K
CK
Martin
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004034:Diet Surveys / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010781:Photography; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results