Perspective:OpportunitiesandChallengesof TechnologyToolsinDietaryandActivity Assessment:BridgingStakeholderViewpoints

Abstract

The science and tools of measuring energy intake and output in humans have rapidly advanced in the last decade. Engineered devices such as wearables and sensors, software applications, and Web-based tools are now ubiquitous in both research and consumer environments. The assessment of energy expenditure in particular has progressed from reliance on self-report instruments to advanced technologies requiring collaboration across multiple disciplines, from optics to accelerometry. In contrast, assessing energy intake still heavily relies on self-report mechanisms. Although these tools have improved, moving from paper-based to online reporting, considerable room for refinement remains in existing tools, and great opportunities exist for novel, transformational tools, including those using spectroscopy and chemo-sensing. This report reviews the state of the science, and the opportunities and challenges in existing and emerging technologies, from the perspectives of 3 key stakeholders:researchers,users,anddevelopers.Eachstakeholderapproachesthesetoolswithuniquerequirements:researchersareconcernedwith validity,accuracy,datadetailandabundance,andethicaluse;userswitheaseofuseandprivacy;anddeveloperswithhighadherenceandutilization, intellectualproperty,licensingrights,andmonetization.Cross-cuttingconcernsincludefrequentupdatingandintegrationofthefoodandnutrient databases on which assessments rely, improving accessibility and reducing disparities in use, and maintaining reliable technical assistance. These contextualchallengesarediscussedintermsofopportunitiesandfurtherstepsinthedirectionofpersonalizedhealth.