Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #365989
Title: Dietary intake and physical activity assessment: current tools, techniques, and technologies for use in adult population

Author
item MCCLUNG, HOLLY - Us Army Research Institute Of Environmental Medicine
item PTOMEY, LAUREN - University Of Kansas
item SHOOK, ROBIN - Children'S Mercy Hospital
item AGGARWAL, ANJU - University Of Washington
item GORCZYCA, ANNA - University Of Kansas
item SAZONOV, EDWARD - University Of Alabama
item BECOFSKY, KATIE - University Of Massachusetts
item WEISS, RICK - Viocare, Inc
item DAS, SAI KRUPA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2018
Publication Date: 10/31/2018
Citation: McClung, H.L., Ptomey, L.T., Shook, R.P., Aggarwal, A., Gorczyca, A.M., Sazonov, E.S., Becofsky, K., Weiss, R., Das, S. 2018. Dietary intake and physical activity assessment: current tools, techniques, and technologies for use in adult population. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 55(4):e93-e104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.06.011.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.06.011

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Accurate assessment of dietary intake and physical activity is a vital component for quality research in public health, nutrition, and exercise science. However, accurate and consistent methodology for the assessment of these components remains a major challenge. Classic methods use self-report to capture dietary intake and physical activity in healthy adult populations. However, these tools, such as questionnaires or food and activity records and recalls, have been shown to underestimate energy intake and expenditure as compared with direct measures like doubly labeled water. This paper summarizes recent technological advancements, such as remote sensing devices, digital photography, and multisensor devices, which have the potential to improve the assessment of dietary intake and physical activity in free-living adults. This review will provide researchers with emerging evidence in support of these technologies, as well as a quick reference for selecting the "right-sized" assessment method based on study design, target population, outcome variables of interest, and economic and time considerations.