Exploring Dietary Assessment Methods Used to Measure Individual Dietary Intakes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and Under-Served Populations in High-Income Countries.

Abstract

Background/objectives: For low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, a global nutrition transition is rapidly emerging as diets shift, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition. High quality dietary intake data for these populations is essential to understand dietary patterns contributing to these nutrition issues. New technology is emerging to address dietary assessment challenges; however, it is unknown how researchers conducting studies with LMIC populations or under-served groups in high-income countries adopt technology-assisted methods. This study aimed to describe the features of the dietary assessment methods used in these settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of members of an online international nutrition network was conducted. Participants completed an online questionnaire collecting data on dietary assessment method use, populations studied, and factors influencing method selection.

Results: Of 45 participants (ranging from 27 to 60 years) who completed the questionnaire, 67% conducted dietary assessments in children aged 1-5 years, 60% in pregnant women and 60% in female adults. Dietary assessment was conducted predominantly in countries classified as LMIC (n = 50), compared to the assessment of vulnerable groups in high-income countries (n = 3). All participants reported using 24-h recalls, 80% used food frequency questionnaires, while 22% used image-based and 22% used image-assisted methods. Predominant modes were interviewer-administered, paper questionnaires and manual analysis; however, digital survey platforms were used by nearly half of participants.

Conclusions: Although traditional dietary assessment methods continue to dominate in LMICs, evidence of technological-assisted method use is emerging. Technology-assisted methods, tailored to address challenges in collecting quality dietary intake data in LMICs, are becoming more accessible.