Development and validation of dietary assessment methods
Overall objective: to develop up to date, accurate and efficient dietary assessment methods.
Today several methods have been developed and evaluated (24-h recall interview module, food frequency questionnaires, precoded food diary with a picture booklet and different biological markers), however this is a continuous process where new technology also are incorporated. The group invests resources in reducing potential errors in the applied methods, and in using biological markers as comparison standards when possible.
National dietary surveys
Overall objectives: to identify potential nutritional challenges in food intake and meal patterns among different age groups in the Norwegian population which may call for a public health actions.
In collaboration with the National Public Health Institute and the Food Safety Authorities we conduct national dietary surveys in representative samples of infants (Spedkost), toddlers (Småbarnskost), preschoolers (Ungkost), schoolchildren (Ungkost), adolescents (Ungkost) and adults (Norkost). The surveys in the different age groups are conducted with a certain number of years between. Subprojects are enlarged food composition database and development of software systems.
More details about the surveys conducted at the moment can be found here:
- Norkost 4
Determinants of healthy eating among children
Overall objectives: add to the limited knowledge about how food environments influence dietary behaviours of children.
Data from an intervention study (the BRA-study) are used to identify important determinants for increasing intake of vegetables among preschoolers.
More information about the study can be found here:
MinMat-study
Overall objective: develop, validate and test an electronic decision-making tool to prevent and treat disease-related malnutrition.
MinMat is an electronic decision-making tool for monitoring patients in hospitals with nutritional challenges. MinMat consists of an app and a web server and has four main features:
1. Registration of patient information (anthropometry, symptoms, nutritional situation)
2. Electronic diet registration
3. Automatic evaluation of registered nutritional intake, compared to individual needs for energy, protein and fluid
4. Report to nurses / other health personnel with information on intake in relation to needs, recommendations for nutrition-related measures and draft nutrition plan
The University's Information Technology Center (USIT) is responsible for the technical development of the MinMat app and the MinMat web solution.
- More information about the study can be found here: MinMat