Development of a Smartphone Application for Dietary Self-Monitoring

Abstract

This article describes the key features of the Well-D, a mobile dietary self-monitoring application developed to assess and track dietary intake. To test the acceptability of the app, 102 adults aged 18 years or older were asked to use Well-D for 3 days or more. After using the app, they recorded their likes/dislikes and recommendations regarding ways to improve Well-D. A mobile application for dietary assessment and monitoring may have the potential to help individuals and groups to engage in healthy behaviors.

Keywords: diet tracking app; dietary self-monitoring; information technology in healthcare; mobile application; smartphone application.

Copyright © 2019 Ahn, Kim, Kim, Park and Lee.

Figures

Figure 1

Diagram of the Well-D procedure.

Figure 2

Screenshots of the main page after log-in. The top of the main page displays the current date. The bar chart indicates daily energy intake that users consumed and daily energy intake goal. In the middle of the screen, users can record, and check foods and dietary supplements by tapping the menu button. Users can check nutritional report or nutritional feedback by tapping each menu at the bottom of the screen.

Figure 3

Screenshots of meal logging, displaying a text-search box, and meal occasion. The app is designed for users to choose or type serving sizes.

Figure 4

Screenshots of food data creation, named “adding your food.” Users can create their own recipe or enter dish or food name if data are not available. The administration is designed to update food or recipe database after users log their new food. The app displays a picture of food taken by users and textboxes of its name, amount, and description.

Figure 5

Screenshots of recipe creation. On the left screen, users should type in the grams of the ingredient. The right screen displays textboxes of name, serving size, and amount (g) of the recipe and all selected ingredients.

Figure 6

Screenshots of favorite food listing. On the left screen, foods at the top of the list can be selected as a favorite food. A list of foods can be recorded by tapping “Favorite foods ()”.

Figure 7

Screenshots of a check-up of foods and supplements recorded. Users can select a date in calendar. Mealtime can be selected via a list box.

Figure 8

Screenshots of dietary feedback. Left screen shows selecting a date on the calendar. Right screen shows energy and macronutrients. Users can select a date on calendar. Feedback on daily nutrients and food groups is provided via scale and pie graphs.

Figure 9

Screenshots of the nutritional report. Users can select a specific week or month on calendar. Nutrients can be chosen via a list box.

Figure 10

Screenshot of the top three contributing foods to the user's nutrient intake.

Figure 11

Screenshot of web-based administration page displaying food composition databases. Administrators can search foods or dietary supplements using the search box. For example, the database has information on food name, frequency per day, unit, energy, water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and other nutrients.