Bonnie Gerald

Digital photography: A new method for estimating food intake in cafeteria settings

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to test the comparability of digital photography and visual estimation procedures for estimating food intake. Research methods and procedures: The study sample included 71 breakfast meals and 59 lunch meals eaten in a university cafeteria during a single day. A total of 66 different foods were employed as test foods that could be selected by the students. Food selections and plate waste, as estimated by digital photography and visual estimation, were compared. For digital photography, three observers independently estimated portion sizes of each food item based upon digital photographs. One observer estimated portion sizes in the cafeteria setting, using visual estimation, a method that has been validated in other studies. Results: To test the accuracy of the two procedures for measuring food intake, the estimates of food weights derived from both procedures were compared using Bland-Altman regression. In comparison to visual estimation, the digital photography method yielded comparable estimates of food selections, plate waste, and total food intake for seven of nine comparisons. The two methods of estimating food portions yielded comparable results for most (78%) types of foods. The two methods also yielded similar variability. Discussion: These findings suggest that the digital photography method is an alternative to the traditional method of estimating food intake via direct observation.

Nutrition-Related Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Postoperation gastric bypass patients completed a 47-item nutrition-related quality of life (NQOL) survey. No correlation was found between percentage weight loss and scores for NQOL. However, significant differences in NQOL were found when participants were divided into 4 groups on the basis of time since surgery. Significantly lower NQOL scores were found in the group 19–36 months since surgery versus those who had more recently had surgery. To promote increased quality of life after laparoscopic gastric bypass, nutrition counseling should address the need for permanent changes in dietary intake and participation in a lifelong exercise program for long-term success with maintenance of weight loss. Patients should also be encouraged to seek the help of an eating disorder specialist if an eating disorder is present.