Perspectives of using the EPIC-SOFT programme in the context of pan-European nutritional monitoring surveys: methodological and practical implications.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the usefulness of a computerized 24 h diet recall programme (EPIC-SOFT) for pan-European dietary surveys.

METHODS:
The perspectives of using EPIC-SOFT in study contexts other than EPIC were evaluated. In order to estimate the usefulness of existing EPIC-SOFT material for developing new versions for non-EPIC countries, a comparison of food and recipe lists and portion pictures between a country participating in EPIC (Sweden, n=2311 foods, 140 photo series) and a non-EPIC country (Finland, FINDIET 1997 Study, n=1373 foods, 126 photo series) was performed.

RESULTS:
Despite certain limitations, the EPIC-SOFT programme is a promising tool for pan-European Dietary Surveys. About 12-17 man-months would be needed to develop a new version for a non-EPIC country, depending on the extra work required. A 95% coverage of food and mixed recipes was found between the EPIC-Sweden and FINDIET 1997 databases. Of the pictures in the Finnish portion size book, 62% had an equivalent in the EPIC-SOFT picture book, but the range and size of photo series was larger in the latter than in the former, especially for vegetables. A tendency was observed that, if the central serving in a given picture book was larger, the consumers in that country also reported a larger mean portion.

CONCLUSIONS:
This report shows that the EPIC-SOFT programme is already available for use in 11 European countries and could be extended easily to other countries if resources are made available. However, further developments are required to obtain standardized nutrient estimates and make the maintenance of the EPIC-SOFT databases independent from the EPIC logistics. The available EPIC-SOFT material would be useful for developing new versions for countries of similar food culture.

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Author information

Author/s: Slimani, N (N); Valsta, L (L); EFCOSUM Group;

Affiliation: Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, IARC, Lyon, France. slimani(-atsign-)iarc.fr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: European journal of clinical nutrition (Eur J Clin Nutr), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 56 Suppl 2 (issue ) : pp S63-74

Dates: Created 2002/06/25; Completed 2002/09/19; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12082519, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Databases, Factual - standards
Diet - statistics & numerical data
Diet Surveys
Energy Intake
Finland
Humans

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