Nutritools

Log in Register

Tool Library Tool Information Best Practice Guidelines – Evaluation Checklist (opens new tab)

Validation Information: MijnEetmeter

Ocké 2021

Relative Validity of MijnEetmeter: A Food Diary App for Self-Monitoring of Dietary Intake

This study aimed to evaluate the relative validity of intake of energy, nutrients and food groups assessed with MijnEetmeter food diary as compared to 24-h dietary recalls, and if this differed between experienced and new users. One hundred men and women aged 18–70 y participated, of whom 47 had prior experience with the tool. Participants kept MijnEetmeter on three days. Trained dietitians called them three times for a 24-h dietary recall interview, once recalling food consumption on the same day as the food recording in MijnEetmeter. Systematic differences and correlations were assessed, and Bland–Altman plots were created; both for 3-day mean intakes and for intakes on the same day. Relative to 24-h dietary recalls, MijnEetmeter underestimated consumption of drinks, added fat, cereal products, and potatoes. Relative underestimation was observed for energy intake (6%) and about half of the nutrients. Experienced MijnEetmeter users underestimated intake the least. For intake of energy and six key nutrients, correlations between 3-day mean intakes were above 0.7 except for sodium intake. In conclusion, MijnEetmeter moderately underestimates intakes of energy and some nutrients and food groups. To improve the self-monitoring of dietary intake, it is recommended that the users record food consumption for several days and that the apps probes for easily forgotten foods and drinks.

Web Link

Validation Information

Author
Ocké
Year of Publication
2021

Tool Information

Dietary Exposure Measured
Full Nutrient, Food Groups
Tool Type
Food Diary Estimated
Timeframe Tool Measures info
3 Days
Portion Size Measures info
Consumed food amounts can be indicated via various options that always include the weight in grams or volume in ml, and often the number or fraction of household measures or natural or commercial units.
Reporting Method info
Prospective
Format info
Online
Supplements Measured
Excluded
Administration Method info
Self-administered

Study Information

Study Location
Netherlands
Associated Nutrient Database
the generic Dutch Food Composition database and the Dutch Branded Food database
Comparator Validated Against
24hr Recall

Participants

Sample Size
100 (Adults and Elderly)
Lifestage
Adults and Elderly
Age of Population

Range:18-70 years

Sex
Both
Other Notable Characteristics
Participants were able to use MijnEetmeter on their smartphone, tablet, or computer. Exclusion criteria were not speaking the Dutch language, being pregnant, breastfeeding, being a professional or student in dietetics or nutrition, and participating in other research at the same time.

Total number of nutrients validated: 6 info

Not all of the nutrients validated in the validation studies are included in the table below, as statistical data was only selected to be displayed for a number of nutrients, this included:

  • Energy
  • Fat
  • Saturated Fat
  • Mono-unsaturated Fat
  • Poly-unsaturated Fat
  • Carbohydrates
  • Protein
  • Sugar
  • Non‐starch polysaccharides(NSP)
  • Sodium
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Retinol
  • Folate
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Fruit & Vegetables
  • Urinary Nitrogen

To find information on the other validated nutrients please read the validation study.

  • Energy
  • Macronutrients: 5
  • Micronutrients: 1
Comparator Lifestage Sex Nutrient Measured info Mean Difference Standard Deviation info Correlation Coefficient info Cohen's Kappa Coefficient Percentage Agreement Percentage Agreement Categories info Lower Limits of Agreement Upper Limits of Agreement
24hr Recall Adults and Elderly Both Energy (kcal) -114 337.5 0.69 (P) -789 562
Protein (g) -2 15 0.77 (P) -35 31
Fat (g) -7 18 0.61 (P) -43 29
Saturated Fat (g) -2 7.5 0.67 (P) -17 13
Carbohydrates (g) -9 42 0.76 (P) -91 72
Sodium (mg) 54 908 0.75 (P) -1762 1869

Some results have been calculated using statistical techniques based on the published data.

For further information on statistical terms click on Statistical tests used in validation studies

All correlations coefficients in the table are unadjusted unless stated otherwise. For adjusted correlation coefficients and other statistical methods used in the study e.g. paired t-tests, please read the validation articles.

  • # Adjusted
  • † Energy adjusted.
  • ‡ For loge-transformed, energy-adjusted nutrient intakes.
  • ^ Adjacent included.
  • ᵟ Participants provided identical responses.
  • (w) = Weighted.

Ocke M, Dinnissen C, Stafleu A, de Vries J, van Rossum C. Relative Validity of MijnEetmeter: A Food Diary App for Self-Monitoring of Dietary Intake. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):30.