Development of a Tool for Researchers to Specify New Foods to Be Included in the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool

Abstract

ObjectivesTo develop a tool for researchers to augment the ASA24 database and include novel foods, beverages, and supplements for use in their study. MethodsASA24 uses nutrient values for foods and beverages from USDA’s Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) and supplement values from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Dietary Supplement Database (NHANES DSD). Novel items, such as medical food products, regional or international foods, and proprietary supplement blends may not be present in FNDDS and NHANES DSD, causing researchers to decide not to use ASA24. The ASA24 software engineering and dietary assessment teams analyzed system components including the hierarchal structured database and software code to determine how researcher-provided data for novel items could be incrementally integrated into the complex, “big data” system. The staff evaluated several approaches and technologies to allow researchers to define specific foods, beverages, and supplements against a set of defined evaluation criteria that addressed usability and technical requirements. ResultsThe ASA24 new foods tool is an Excel workbook comprised of 19 worksheets. Excel macros validate data and facilitate navigation through the workbook. The worksheets are comprised of instructions, data entry templates, completed data entry templates for example purposes, and reference data. Researchers specify food, beverage, and supplement terms, portion amount probes and associated images, nutrient and Food Pattern Equivalents Database values, allowing the novel item to be added to the ASA24 system, and ultimately available to respondents using ASA24 to report dietary intake. The tool has undergone multiple rounds of usability testing and refinements to address issues. The integration process includes the maintenance of a master copy of foods, beverages, and supplements that will be available to researchers interested in adding these items to their own studies. ConclusionsThe ASA24 new foods tool provides researchers with a cost-effective means to add novel foods, beverages, and supplements to their study. This tool can expand the utility of ASA24 to previously understudied groups. Funding SourcesThis project has been funded in whole or in part by the NIH.