Louisa Ming Yan Chung1, Queenie Pui Sze Law2, Shirley Siu Ming Fong3, Joanne Wai Yee Chung4. 1. Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Electronic address: chungmy@ied.edu.hk. 2. Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong. Electronic address: queenielaw@twc.edu.hk. 3. Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Electronic address: smfong@hku.hk. 4. Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Electronic address: joannechung@ied.edu.hk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study's objective was to investigate whether use of an electronic dietary recording system improves nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes and habitual physical activity levels compared to use of a food diary and no self-monitoring. METHODS:Sixty adults aged 20-60 with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: a group using an electronic system (EG), a group using a food diary (FD) and a control group using nothing (CG) to record food intake. All participants took part in three 60-90 nutrition seminars and completed three questionnaires on general nutrition knowledge, habitual physical activity levels and eating attitudes at the beginning and end of the 12-week study. The pre- and post-test scores for each questionnaire were analysed using a paired sample t-test. RESULTS: Significant improvements in the domain of 'dietary recommendations' were found in the EG (p=0.009) and FD groups (p=0.046). Great improvements were found in 'sources of nutrients', 'choosing everyday foods' and 'diet-disease relationships' in EG and FD groups. EG group showed greater improvement in the work index and sport index. CONCLUSION: An electronic dietary recording system may improve eating and exercise behaviour in a self-monitoring process.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This study's objective was to investigate whether use of an electronic dietary recording system improves nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes and habitual physical activity levels compared to use of a food diary and no self-monitoring. METHODS: Sixty adults aged 20-60 with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: a group using an electronic system (EG), a group using a food diary (FD) and a control group using nothing (CG) to record food intake. All participants took part in three 60-90 nutrition seminars and completed three questionnaires on general nutrition knowledge, habitual physical activity levels and eating attitudes at the beginning and end of the 12-week study. The pre- and post-test scores for each questionnaire were analysed using a paired sample t-test. RESULTS: Significant improvements in the domain of 'dietary recommendations' were found in the EG (p=0.009) and FD groups (p=0.046). Great improvements were found in 'sources of nutrients', 'choosing everyday foods' and 'diet-disease relationships' in EG and FD groups. EG group showed greater improvement in the work index and sport index. CONCLUSION: An electronic dietary recording system may improve eating and exercise behaviour in a self-monitoring process.
Authors: Deirdre Timlin; Barbara Giannantoni; Jacqueline M McCormack; Angela Polito; Donatella Ciarapica; Elena Azzini; Melanie Giles; Ellen E A Simpson Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-02-02 Impact factor: 3.295