The energy density of meals and snacks consumed by young Australian adults (18-30 years old) are influenced by preparation location but not screen use nor social interactions: findings from the MYMeals wearable camera study

Abstract

The present study examined the association of contextual factors (social and food preparation location) with the energy density of meals and snacks consumed in a sample of young Australian adults (18-30 years old) identified using wearable camera technology. Over three consecutive days, a subsample of young adults wore a wearable camera that captured images in 30 s intervals. Eating episodes from 133 participants were annotated for preparation location and social context (covering social interaction and screen use). Over the same period, participants completed daily 24 h recalls. The nutritional composition of meals and snacks was calculated by matching the items identified in the camera to the 24 h recall using time and date stamps. Self-reported data (weight and height) was used to calculate body mass index and (residential postcode) to assign socio-economic status. The association of context and demographic factors with energy density was determined using a mixed linear regression model employing the bootstrap method with bias-corrected and accelerated. In total, 1817 eating episodes were included in the analysis (n 8 preparation unclear and n 15 food components could not be identified excluded). Food prepared within the home was 1⋅1 kJ/g less energy-dense than other preparation locations. Lunches (CI -1⋅7 to -0⋅3) and dinners (CI -1⋅6 to -0⋅5) were both 1⋅0 kJ/g lower in energy density than breakfasts. Snacks were 3⋅5 kJ/g (CI 2⋅8-4⋅1) more energy-dense than breakfasts. Food prepared outside the home and food consumption during snacking appear to be adversely contributing to energy-dense food intake.

Keywords: Dietary assessment; Energy density; Social context; Wearable cameras; Young adults.

Fig. 1.

Flow diagram of wearable camera study procedure and image coding protocol.

Fig. 2.

Sample image coding with time stamps of images provided in 24 h time. Sample images depicted in panel (a–d). Panel (a) coded as episode: lunch (time stamp: 13:08:52), preparation location: outside the home, social interaction: present and screen use: none. Panel (b) coded as episode: breakfast (time stamp: 09:31:02), preparation location: inside the home, social interaction: absent and screen use: two. Panel (c) coded as episode: dinner (time stamp: 20:15:06), preparation location: inside the home, social interaction: present and screen use: one. Panel (d) coded as not codable.