A Comparison of User Preferences and Reported Compliance with the Bite Counter and the 24-Hour Dietary Recall

Abstract

With two-thirds of the U.S. population being either overweight or obese, accurate tools for self-monitoring eating behaviors are needed for both research and personal purposes. To increase user compliance, these tools should be easy to use and impose a minimal burden on the user. The present study compares user preferences and compliance with the Bite Counter, a wrist-worn device designed to monitor eating behavior by counting bites, to the Internet-based Automated Self-Administered 24-hour dietary recall (ASA24). Eighty-three participants used the Bite Counter and the ASA24 for two weeks. At the end of the two-week period, participants were asked to rate their preference, compliance, and the ease of use for the two tools. 76% of the participants preferred the Bite Counter to the ASA24. Participants consistently used both tools. The Bite Counter was significantly easier to use, according to subjective ratings. These results indicate that users may be more likely to use the Bite Counter consistently than 24-hour dietary recalls.