Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Iterative Development of an Innovative Smartphone-Based Dietary Assessment Tool: Traqq
Published on: March 19, 2021
User Testing of the NCI's ASA24 Respondent Nutrition Report for Total Nutrient Intake From Foods, Beverages, and
Heather Platter1, Lauren E O'Connor2, Clare Rauch3
1Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA; Office of the Associate Director, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA; Department of Public Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Background:
Approximately 75% of the US population uses dietary supplements to boost their nutrient intake beyond what they obtain from foods and drinks. Therefore, it is crucial to clearly communicate how dietary supplements contribute to overall nutrient intake, enabling consumers to make informed health decisions.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to test user comprehension of 4 aspects of nutrient intake displayed in the ASA24 Respondent Nutrition Report (Total, Target, Limit, and Warning) among adults with diverse numeracy levels.
Design:
Two-phase qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with dietary supplement users (Phase I conducted March 1-April 31, 2021; Phase II conducted June 1-July 31, 2021).
Participants/Setting:
A total of 50 dietary supplement users ≥19 years of age were recruited via a nationwide opt-in research panel for phases I (30 participants) and II (20 participants). Participant interviews were conducted virtually.
Analyses Performed:
A deductive-to-inductive coding method was used for creation of the codebook; 20% of transcripts were double-coded with inter-rater reliability >90%. Summative content analysis assessed comprehension of reviewed concepts.
Results:
In Phase I, participants found the graphic format easier to understand than a table. Additionally, most participants believed the graphic would be easier for the general public to understand. Using participant feedback from Phase I, the graphic was revised, which led to a better understanding of key features of the graphic for participants in Phase II, especially for nutrients that fell below the target. These updates improved understandability among both higher and lower numeracy participants.
Conclusions:
Content for Total Nutrient Intake from Foods, Drinks, and Supplements for the ASA24's Respondent Nutrition Report was developed, underwent usability testing, and demonstrated sufficient user comprehension. Future research can evaluate the effectiveness of the final graphic for behavior change with different populations or conduct future testing of the Respondent Nutrition Report (RNR), with a focus on individuals with lower numeracy scores.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...