title: Effects of Recording Food Intake Using Cell Phone Camera Pictures on Energy Intake and Food Choice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The well-documented increases in obesity and unhealthy dietary practices substantiate the need for evidence-based tools that can help people improve their dietary habits. The current spread of mobile phone-embedded cameras offers new opportunities for recording food intake. Moreover, the act of taking pictures of food consumed may enhance visual consciousness of food choice and quantity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of using cell phone pictures to record food intake on energy intake and food choice in college students. The effectiveness and acceptability of cell phone picture-based diet recording also was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated measures crossover design was used. One group of participants entered their food intake online during 3 days based on their memory, although a second group recorded their food intake using cell phone pictures as their reference. Participants then crossed over to complete 3 more days of diet recording using the alternate method. Focus groups were conducted to obtain feedback on the effectiveness and acceptability of cell phone picture-based diet recording.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intake of meat and vegetable servings were significantly higher in the memory period compared with the cell phone period, regardless of the order. Results from the focus group indicated a positive attitude toward the use of cell phone pictures in recording food intake and an increased awareness of food choice and portion size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cell phone pictures may be an easy, relevant, and accessible method of diet self-monitoring when aiming at dietary changes. Future trials should combine this technique with healthy eating education.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doumit
authors.affiliation: Professor, Director of Nursing Research and Development, School of Nursing, Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, TX.
authors.forename: JoAnn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: MS student, Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Chant
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kazandjian
authors.affiliation: dietitian, School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gharibeh
authors.affiliation: Instructor, School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.affiliation: Senior Analyst, Health Science Center, School of Nursing, Texas Tech University, Odessa, TX.
authors.forename: Huaxin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Professor, Health Science Center, School of Nursing, Texas Tech University, Odessa, TX.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Nutrition Program Coordinator, School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zeeni
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D015930:Diet Records; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: clinical practice; eating behavior; food diary; mobile phone; weight management