Interactive computer nutrition system for elderly
N. Naveh-Deutsch, S. Ish-Shalom, G.S. Rozen, N. Bitterman
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AbstractE- health is a developing area of major social, medical and economic importance, especially for the elderly population and citizens of remote areas. Nutrition is recognized as an important factor in influencing the functional outcome of aging and its control can mostly benefit using E- health services. The aim of our study was to define the optimum interactive computer interface for self-reporting of dietary intake suitable for use by elderly people. Three experimental interactive interfaces designated to assess nutrient intake were built, backed by hidden computer tracking programs: (i) an ‘ABC list’ website in which food items were presented in alphabetical order, (ii) a ‘Food Groups’ website, and (iii) a ‘Structured’ website based on recall dietary protocol. Two groups of experienced Internet users participated: older adults (73.75 ± 7.3 years) and middle-aged adult (55.32 ± 4.7) (n=20 for each group, equal number of females and males). Participants were asked to insert the content of their daily breakfast in the three experimental websites. Experimental parameters were; time for task completion (total and per food item), number and types of operations, errors, usability, satisfaction and personal preference. Time for task completion and per food item selection were significantly longer in older participants compared to middle-aged adults (p < 0.05), demonstrating a significant positive correlation between time and age in all experimental websites. The shortest time for task completion was measured in the ‘Food Groups’ website in both age groups. Our results suggest that the most appropriate nutritional interface for older adults and middle-aged adults in terms of time and efficiency is the ‘Food Groups’ website, while the worst performance was at the ‘Structured’ website.Keywords: interactive healthcare services; telemedicine; dietary assessment
N. Naveh-Deutsch, S. Ish-Shalom, G.S. Rozen, N. Bitterman (2007). Interactive computer nutrition system for elderly. Gerontechnology, 6(4), 236-240
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2007.06.04.007.00