A Methodological Framework for Aggregating Branded Food Composition Data in mHealth Nutrition Databases: A Case...

Background/Objectives: Up-to-date, relevant and detailed food composition databases (FCDs) are a central component of mHealth apps. Thus, the expansion and/or update of such FCDs though the aggregation of branded food data (BFCDs) could prove as a cost-efficient methodology. However, a framework for data aggregation from BFCDs has yet to be documented. Methods: Products (n = 3988) available in the HelTH BFCD were grouped following a three-step process. Firstly, foods were grouped based on their name, and then the aggregated nutritional composition was tested for heterogeneity using a coefficient of variation cut-off of 20% followed by a search of the ingredient list and other product characteristics to identify descriptors that reduced heterogeneity. Results: Following a three-step process, n = 347 new generic food names were proposed, each derived from at least three branded products, of which n = 235 were populated with aggregated nutritional content values. We found that 95.3%, 88.6%, 86% and 82.6% of aggregated energy, protein, carbohydrate and sodium values, respectively, had a coefficient of variation <40%. Aggregated saturated fatty acid and total sugar values were less likely to fall in the homogeneity level (76.3% and 65.3%, respectively). The heterogeneity was concentrated in specific subcategories like baked goods, milk products and milk imitation products, primarily. Conclusions: BFCDs can be used as a resource to expand existing databases with relatively homogeneous and up-to-date nutritional composition data. The application of this framework on larger datasets could improve the generic food name yield and homogeneity and support mHealth apps and other uses.