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A study of the use of a photographic food atlas to estimate served and self‐served portion sizes
Author(s) -
Robinson F.,
Morritz W.,
McGuiness P.,
Hackett A. F.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-277x.1997.00043.x
Subject(s) - portion size , medicine , zoology , food science , surgery , biology
Background: Although it is generally accepted that a weighed intake is the most valid way of assessing nutrient intake, this is not always the most appropriate method. Photographs have been suggested as a useful aid in assessing portion size when other methods of recording dietary intake are used. Method: Male and female subjects ( n =100) were recruited to assess portion sizes of served amounts of mashed potato or cornflakes using food photographs. A second group of subjects ( n =40) were recruited to assess portion sizes of self‐served mashed potato or cornflakes using the same photographs. Results: Estimates varied from −70.6% underestimation to +198.7% overestimation for mashed potato, with less variation for the cornflakes where portions were served.??? Where the food was self‐served, results ranged from −38% and −64% underestimation to +61% and +88% overestimation for cornflakes and mashed potato, respectively.Correlation coefficients between estimated and actual weights of food showed them to be of statistical significance ( P <0.05). Conclusion: Food photographs are a useful and convenient aid in the estimation of food portion sizes.