Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Development and Pilot Study of myfood24 West Africa — an Online Tool for Dietary Assessment in Nigeria

Chinwe Adaugo Uzokwe
* ORCID logo ,
Chiaka Charles Nkwoala
,
Bassey Ebenso
,
Sarah Beer
,
Grace Williams
,
Gideon Iheme
ORCID logo ,
Chihurumnanya Opara
,
Rasaki Sanusi
,
Henrietta Nkechi Ene-Obong
,
Janet E Cade
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 10 September 2024 / Approved: 11 September 2024 / Online: 11 September 2024 (07:32:30 CEST)

How to cite: Uzokwe, C. A.; Nkwoala, C. C.; Ebenso, B.; Beer, S.; Williams, G.; Iheme, G.; Opara, C.; Sanusi, R.; Ene-Obong, H. N.; Cade, J. E. Development and Pilot Study of myfood24 West Africa — an Online Tool for Dietary Assessment in Nigeria. Preprints 2024, 2024090860. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.0860.v1 Uzokwe, C. A.; Nkwoala, C. C.; Ebenso, B.; Beer, S.; Williams, G.; Iheme, G.; Opara, C.; Sanusi, R.; Ene-Obong, H. N.; Cade, J. E. Development and Pilot Study of myfood24 West Africa — an Online Tool for Dietary Assessment in Nigeria. Preprints 2024, 2024090860. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.0860.v1

Abstract

Background/objective: Tools to accurately and efficiently measure the dietary intake of Nigeria are lacking. We aimed to develop and assess the usability of a new online dietary assessment tool for Nigeria, myfood24 West Africa. Methods: We developed myfood24 West Africa database using data from existing food composition tables, back-of-pack labels of packaged foods and research articles. A 7-step approach was used: identified data sources, selected foods, processed/cleaned data, calculated nutrient content of recipes, created/allocated portion sizes, quality-checked database, and developed food accompaniments. To pilot myfood24 West Africa, we recruited 179 university staff living in Nigeria using a cross-sectional design; usability was assessed using a questionnaire that incorporated the System Usability Scale (SUS) and feedback session. Results: The database included 924 foods with up to 54 nutrients and 35 portion-size images allocated to foods. 60% of the data were sourced from the 2019 West Africa Food Composition Table, 17% from back-of-pack labels, 14% from the 2017 Nigeria Food Composition Table, 5% from generated recipes and 4% items from published literature. 30% (n=53) self-recorded their diet on their own and 1345 entries were made. The mean SUS score of 74 (95% CI: 68,79) indicated good usability. The feedback showed the tool was easy to use, educative, and included a variety of locally foods consumed. Conclusion: This new tool will enhance the dietary assessment of the Nigerian population. More work will cover more foods from other regions of Nigeria and West African countries.

Keywords

Food composition tables; energy intake; nutrition assessment; nutrition app; usability study; digital tool; diet monitoring

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Dietetics and Nutrition

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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