[Nutrition survey assisted by computer]. / Enquête alimentaire assistée par ordinateur.

ABSTRACT

Data processing has made data banks available to the nutritionist, enabled rapid conversion of food data, and supplied detailed even commented listings of eating behaviour. Until now, however, use of the computer has remained the privilege of the dietician. A conversational data programme employing a microcomputer has been developed, enabling patients to establish a dialogue with the calculator, with storage of data concerning their food habits. A double food survey was conducted in 93 adult subjects, one of which involved the dieticians from ISTA, and the other the computer. Good correlation was found between the two estimates of calorific rations (r = 0.84, p less than 0.001) and nutriments. Deviations between the two estimates were less than 20 p. cent in the majority (80 p. cent) of cases. Psychological questioning confirmed the good reception reserved for this type of computerized survey, whatever the initial reservations held against data processing. Performances were not altered by the sociocultural level of the persons surveyed. This type of interactive programme should lead to simplification of the food anamesis, thus favorizing the communication and the counselling role of the nutritionist. It can also be of value in the framework of epidemiological surveys or education of nutrition.