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Learning Objective 1: Discuss the effectiveness of technology-based methods (MyPyramid Tracker with/without use of cell phone pictures for memory prompt) of dietary assessment for fruit/vegetable consumption;
Learning Objective 2: Discuss focus group findings and implications for using technology to measure healthy eating in a college-age population.
Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated measures design was used. The research questions were: 1) What is the effectiveness of recording fruit/vegetable consumption using cell phone digital pictures for memory prompt in conjunction with the MyPyramid Tracker website as compared to MyPyramid Tracker website alone; and 2) What is the acceptability and feasibility of these methods for recording diet among youths?
Results: Data was collected from 69 college-age students enrolled in a southwestern university in the fall of 2010. Subjects recorded three days of diet in MyPyramid Tracker using memory only and three days adding cell phone digital pictures as a memory prompt over a 2 week period. A mixed-model ANOVA supported a statistically significant difference in the cell phone for memory prompt fruit/vegetable scores, F (1, 66) = 3.904, p = .05. Data for research question two was collected from focus groups.
Conclusion: Digital cell phone pictures were more effective than MyPyramid Tracker alone and may contribute to increased accuracy of recording fruit/vegetable consumption. Focus groups suggested both usability and acceptablility of technology for recording diet in this population. Roger’s theory of Diffusion of Innovation is suggested as a possible theoretical model for testing technology-based methods of fruit/vegetable consumption. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support for this study provided by a 2010 STTI Small Grant.
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