Automated Self-administered 24-hour Dietary Recall (ASA24)
Background
ASA24 is a software tool that enables automated and self-administered 24-hour dietary recalls. The format and design of ASA24 are based on a modified version of the interviewer-administered Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM) 24-hour recall developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). AMPM uses multi-level food probes to accurately assess food types and amounts. AMPM was adapted to enable the development of a computer-based self-administered 24-hour recall. ASA24 is available free of charge to researchers, clinicians and teachers.
Read more on the background and development of ASA24.
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Features of ASA24
ASA24 consists of a Respondent Web site used by study participants to complete recalls and a Researcher Web site used by researchers to manage study logistics. Both sites require high-speed Internet access.
The ASA24 Respondent Web site uses state-of-the-art automated computer technology, including graphic enhancements, an animated character to guide participants, and audio cues to enhance use in low-literacy populations. The food list from which respondents select their intakes for the previous day includes all foods available from USDA's Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) database, version 1.0.
The ASA24 Respondent Web site:
- Provides a tutorial for respondents on how to complete the interview;
- Provides an animated audio character to guide respondents through the interview, with an option to turn off the audio;
- Asks respondents to report eating occasion and time of consumption;
- Asks respondents to provide a "quick list" of foods and drinks consumed the previous day;
- Allows respondents to find foods or drinks to report either by browsing through food groups or by typing and searching;
- Uses the USDA's AMPM interview as a basis for asking detailed probes about each food and drink reported in the quick list;
- Uses photographs to assist respondents in reporting portion size;
- Allows the respondent to add or modify food and drink choices at multiple times during the interview;
- Includes a final review of the day's intake; and
- Allows for accessibility by individuals with speech and hearing impairments: an accessibility and compatibility document provides further information for those requiring accommodations.
The Respondent Web site does not provide any direct feedback to respondents; instead, researchers can obtain analysis files from the Researcher Web site and contact respondents with any findings they choose to share.
Please refer to the overview of the Respondent Web site for further information about the system requirements, terms used, and the flow and features of the program.
The ASA24 Researcher Web site, distinct from the Respondent Web site, allows researchers to register a study, set study parameters, and manage study logistics. Once recall data have been entered into ASA24 by respondents, researchers can access the Researcher Web site to compute nutrient and food group estimates.
The ASA Researcher Web site:
- Allows researchers to add their own opening and closing text scripts and study logo for use on the Respondent Web site;
- Enables researchers to monitor study progress and to obtain a variety of reports including statistics for complete, incomplete and upcoming recalls for each participant; and
- Produces individual-level nutrient estimates based on FNDDS, version 1.0 and food group estimates based on USDA’s MyPyramid Equivalents Database (MPED). These data can be further analyzed by researchers or used to provide reports to respondents.
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Current Availability
A demonstration (demo) version of the Respondent Web site allows any interested user with high-speed Internet access to view and trial the software. The demo version will not save any recall data or provide any dietary analyses.
The full version of ASA24, including access to the Researcher Web site , is available only to registered users. If you are a researcher, clinician, or teacher interested in using ASA24, please refer to the Researcher Web site instructions , which provide an overview of the site and discuss how to register a study and its participants, set study parameters (e.g. number of recalls, etc.), manage study logistics, and obtain analytic files. Once you have reviewed the instructions, visit the Researcher Web site, to register to use ASA24 for a study (or for use in a clinic or classroom) free of charge. Once approved, you will be able to access and use the full version of ASA24 via the Researcher Web site.
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Future Plans
ASA24 is currently available as a beta version and is undergoing further development. Additional features that will be available in the coming months include:
- An optional vitamin and mineral supplement module (expected late 2009);
- A Spanish version of the Respondent Web site (note that all information on the Researcher Web site will continue to be provided in English only) (expected early 2010);
- Optional modules to assess where meals were consumed, where food was obtained, who meals were eaten with, and whether or not the TV was on and being watched (expected 2010); and
- Inclusion of all foods in FNDDS, version 3.0 (expected 2010). ASA24 is currently based on FNDDS, version 1.0.
In addition, while ASA24 was developed for use with adults, Dr. Tom Baranowski of the Baylor College of Medicine is currently working to develop a modified version of the software for use with school-aged children.
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Evaluation of ASA24
During development, ASA24 underwent numerous small scale cognitive and usability tests. Two larger studies are further evaluating ASA24:
- ASA24 Comparison and Validation Studies: One large study of healthy individuals in a variety of geographic regions will compare the nutrient and food group estimates from respondents completing ASA24 to those completing a standardized AMPM interviewer-administered 24HR recall. In a smaller study, investigators will unobtrusively document food intakes as an objective measure of food intake for participants who are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will complete a recall using ASA24 and the second group will complete a standard interviewer-administered recall. Analyses will assess differences in the validity between the two types of recalls. These studies are expected to begin recruitment in January 2010 and be completed within a year.
- AARP Feasibility Study: This pilot study, which began in January of 2009, is assessing the use of ASA24 in an ongoing cohort study, the AARP Diet and Health Study. Phase 1 evaluated methods of recruitment, and technical performance of the software, Web sites, and study management software. Phase 2, to begin in early 2010, will include refined recruitment and a final version of the software to estimate response rates and intakes.
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Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for additional details on accessing and using ASA24.
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