Comparative Evaluation of Dietary Assessment Tools and Student Preferences: An Active Learning Activity in...

Nutrition education is an essential component of undergraduate science curricula, yet traditional teaching methods may fall short in fostering student engagement and real-world application. Integrating dietary assessment activities into Food and Nutrition courses may promote active learning and enhance student engagement and practical skills.

This study aimed to evaluate student use and preferences for four dietary assessment tools: Food Record, Food Recall, Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and MyFitnessPal, and to compare their estimates of calorie and macronutrient intake, based on recorded dietary data and student reflections.

A total of 78 students participated from three consecutive Fall semesters (2019-2021) as part of a structured course assignment. Each student used all four tools to record their dietary intake and provided feedback on usability and preferences. Caloric and macronutrient estimates (carbohydrates, fat, sugar and protein) were compared across tools. Only participants with complete data sets were included in the final analysis.

Most students (82.1%) preferred MyFitnessPal for its ease of use and automated nutrient analysis. Additionally, 96.2% reported increased dietary awareness and expressed intent to improve their eating habits. Calorie intake estimates did not differ significantly between MyFitnessPal and Food Record. The FFQ significantly overestimated sugar intake (p < 0.01) and underestimated protein intake (p < 0.001) compared to MyFitnessPal.

This experiential activity engaged students in nutrition self-monitoring. MyFitnessPal was the preferred tool for its convenience and automated calculations. Incorporating dietary tracking into coursework may enhance student engagement, nutrition literacy and self-awareness among students.