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Evaluation of a bar-code system for nutrient analysis in dietary surveys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Annie S Anderson ,
Linda Maher ,
Tom K Ha ,
Josephine Cooney ,
Susan Eley ,
Marilyn Martin ,
Giacomo Vespasiani ,
Mauro Bruni  and
Michael EJ Lean
Annie S Anderson*
Affiliation:
Centre for Applied Nutrition Research, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HT, UK
Linda Maher
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Tom K Ha
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Josephine Cooney
Affiliation:
Institute of Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Susan Eley
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Marilyn Martin
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Giacomo Vespasiani
Affiliation:
Medimatica, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Mauro Bruni
Affiliation:
Medimatica, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
Michael EJ Lean
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email: a.s.anderson@dundee.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Objective:

A novel system for nutrient analysis has been developed and tested over 5 years. Its key features are a nutrient database of 600 commonly eaten foods (95% of foods eaten in 7-day surveys); a booklet identifying each food with a bar code, bar codes for gram weight and for portion sizes (small, medium, large) and a bar-code reader with dietary analysis software for PCs. In the present study the bar-code system has been evaluated by comparison with a commonly used manual entry nutrient analysis software for dietitians' use.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Glasgow city district.

Subjects:

One hundred and sixty adults aged 18–65 years old.

Results:

Comparing mean intakes for macro- and micronutrients, using the Bland and Altman method1, the bias between the two methods was small, ranging from 0.93 to 1.03. The bar-code system took significantly less professional time in data entry and nutrient analysis than the widely used manual system (29 min per 7-day diary vs. 47 min per 7-day diary, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

It is suggested that the bar-code system offers greater speed with a saving of professional time needed for nutrient analysis of dietary surveys. This system is commended for maintaining accuracy while promoting economy.

Keywords

Dietary intakesNutrient analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , April 1999 , pp. 579 - 586
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 1999

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