Effects of Food Consumption Monitoring Using a Camera-Phone on Body Weight and Serum Lipid Level in Obese Female College Students

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of food consumption monitoring using a camera-phone in a weight control program. Twenty-six female college students (>30% body fat) were randomly assigned to the camera-phone and diary (CD) group or diary (D) only group. During the 8-week weight control program, the CD group controlled their food consumption using a camera-phone, in which they took a food picture and uploaded it to the homepage. However, the D group used only a diary to record their food intake. The mean energy intake of the CD group during the program was 1451.9 kcal while that of the D group was 1524.3 kcal. The total energy intakes of both groups significantly decreased during the program. The CD group lost 5.2 kg of body weight and 3.1% body fat while the D group lost 2.2 kg of body weight and 1.1% body fat. The body weight and fat levels significantly decreased in the CD group compared to the D group. The triglyceride, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels of the CD group as well as the total-cholesterol level of the D group significantly decreased during the program. The total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels both significantly decreased in the CD group compared to the D group. In this study, it was concluded that digital photography method using a camera-phone might influence weight control through trained consumption monitoring, which helps individuals reduce discrepancies between perceived and actual consumption levels.

Weight Control Program through the Fortification of Food Consumption Monitoring on Obese Female College Students: Using Smart-Phone with Real Time Communication Application / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of real time communication digital photography method using Kakao Talk application in smart-phone for the fortification of food consumption monitoring and weight reduction. Thirty-four female college students were randomly assigned to the camera-phone (CP) group or smart-phone (SP) group. Each group participated in the weight control program for 8 weeks. The mean energy intake of CP group during program was 1353.5 kcal and the SP group consumed 1289.2 kcal. The total energy intake of both groups was significantly decreased during the program. The CP group lost 1.9 kg of body weight and 1.9% of body fat and the SP group lost 4.3 kg of body weight and 3.0% of body fat. The body weight was significantly decreased in the SP group compared to the CP group. The triglyceride and total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol level of SP group were significantly decreased during the program. However, there were no significant changes in CP group during the program. Also there were no significant changes in lipid profile between two groups. In this study, it is considered that real time communication digital photography method using Kakao Talk application in smart-phone might influence weight control through a trained consumption monitoring. Therefore, smart-phone can lead individuals to rely more heavily on easy-to-monitor visual cues.

A Study on Application of Food Photographs for Estimating Individuals' Dietary Intake / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was performed to investigate the validity of food photographs for estimating individuals' dietary intakes and compare it with other dietary assessment methods. Subjects were 7 professors, 2 researchers, 12 dietitian and 16 graduate students majoring in food and nutrition. Among the subjects, 20 subjects had research experiences in the dietary intake survey more than one year while 17 had not. Each subject estimated 50 food portions displayed in computer monitor by comparing with standard food photographs, which were weighed portions of 28 foods from typical Korean diet. No significant differences between the estimated value and the weighed value of 17 (34%) food portions were shown in research-experienced group and those of 14 (28%) food portions were shown in no-researchexperienced group. 24-hour recall was the most frequently-used method for dietary assessment followed by in the order of food frequency questionnaire, dietary record, diet history and weighing method. After estimating food portions by photographs, 30 subjects (81%) were willing to use the method for dietary assessment because of its convenience and easy communication between researcher and subject. This study suggests that digital photography method would be a useful and convenient new instrument for estimating individuals' dietary intake. However, it is necessary to create standard database for food portions and carry out systematic education for food estimation in order to apply this method in the fields.

Short Term Weight Control Program of Obese Female College Students through Food Consumption Monitoring Using Mobile Phone Equipped with Camera

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of food consumption monitoring based on a digital photography method using a mobile phone on food consumption and weight reduction. Eighteen female college students (>30% body fat) participated in the weight control program using a mobile-phone for 4 wks. The energy intake was reduced significantly after 3 wks compared to baseline (P<0.05, baseline: 1,453.0 kcal, 3rd wk: 1,171.1 kcal, 4th wk: 1,130.8 kcal). The subjects lost 2.8 kg of body weight, 1.4% of % body fat, and 1.1 kg/m2 of body mass index (BMI) after 4 wks. There were also significant differences in blood pressure (P<0.001) and serum cholesterol (total cholesterol: P<0.05, LDL-cholesterol: P<0.01) before and after the self-regulated diet program. In this study, the digital photography method using a mobile-phone influenced weight control through trained consumption monitoring, which helps individuals reduce discrepancies between perceived and actual consumption levels. Therefore, effective monitoring by taking food pictures using a mobile-phone can lead individuals to rely more heavily on easy-to-monitor visual cues.