Reporting of dietary assessment methods and use of information technology in food-based randomised controlled trials

The range of randomised controlled trials reported in the scientific literature is extensive. A

systematic literature review was conducted with the aim of determining how dietary

assessment methods were reported and the use of assisted technologies. OVID (Medline,

PreMedline, PsychINFO, Cochrane, ERIC and Cynahl) and ScienceDirect databases 2000-

2010 were searched for food-based parallel randomised controlled trials in humans. Studies

relating to drug testing, vitamin or mineral supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition and

behavioural/educational interventions were excluded. Meal replacement studies were

included. A total of 1364 abstracts were reviews and 347 studies identified. Additional

articles referred to in the methods as the main publication and not captured in the initial

search were also retrieved. Food record methodology was the most common assessment

technique with three day duration the most common timeframe (2 week, 1 weekend day).

There was a limited use of information technology for the assessment. Technology was

primarily reported for analysis of nutrient data. Dietary analysis software used to determine

for nutrient intakes is country specific. The end point of the study is the most commonly used

time point for dietary assessment. The regular use of food record methodology to measure

actual rather than usual dietary intake may not capture foods eaten intermittently though is

not as resource heavy for a study. Information technology use may increase in the future

allowing automation of dietary analysis and also allowing other forms of assessment to be

used efficiently.