Food Recognition and Nutritional Apps

Food recognition and nutritional apps are trending technologies that may revolutionise the way people with diabetes manage their diet. Such apps can monitor food intake as a digital diary and even employ artificial intelligence to assess the diet automatically. Although these apps offer a promising solution for managing diabetes, they are rarely used by patients. This chapter aims to provide an in-depth assessment of the current status of apps for food recognition and nutrition, to identify factors that may inhibit or facilitate their use, while it is accompanied by an outline of relevant research and development.Comment: This book chapter: Food Recognition and Nutritional Apps is set to appear in the book: "Diabetes Digital Health, Telehealth, and Artificial Intelligence

Using Search Queries to Understand Health Information Needs in Africa

The lack of comprehensive, high-quality health data in developing nations creates a roadblock for combating the impacts of disease. One key challenge is understanding the health information needs of people in these nations. Without understanding people's everyday needs, concerns, and misconceptions, health organizations and policymakers lack the ability to effectively target education and programming efforts. In this paper, we propose a bottom-up approach that uses search data from individuals to uncover and gain insight into health information needs in Africa. We analyze Bing searches related to HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis from all 54 African nations. For each disease, we automatically derive a set of common search themes or topics, revealing a wide-spread interest in various types of information, including disease symptoms, drugs, concerns about breastfeeding, as well as stigma, beliefs in natural cures, and other topics that may be hard to uncover through traditional surveys. We expose the different patterns that emerge in health information needs by demographic groups (age and sex) and country. We also uncover discrepancies in the quality of content returned by search engines to users by topic. Combined, our results suggest that search data can help illuminate health information needs in Africa and inform discussions on health policy and targeted education efforts both on- and offline.Comment: Extended version of an ICWSM 2019 pape

A Research on the Classification and Applicability of the Mobile Health Applications

Mobile health applications are applied for different purposes. Healthcare professionals and other users can use this type of mobile applications for specific tasks, such as diagnosis, information, prevention, treatment, and communication. This paper presents an analysis of mobile health applications used by healthcare professionals and their patients. A secondary objective of this article is to evaluate the scientific validation of these mobile health applications and to verify if the results provided by these applications have an underlying sound scientific foundation. This study also analyzed literature references and the use of mobile health applications available in online application stores. In general, a large part of these mobile health applications provides information about scientific validation. However, some mobile health applications are not validated. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the usability and user-perceived quality of mobile health applications and the challenges related to scientific validation of these mobile applications.This work was funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds and when applicable co-funded EU funds under the project UIDB/EEA/50008/2020 (Este trabalho é financiado pela FCT/MCTES através de fundos nacionais e quando aplicável cofinanciado por fundos comunitários no âmbito do projeto UIDB/EEA/50008/2020)

Advancement in Dietary Assessment and Self-Monitoring Using Technology

Although methods to assess or self-monitor intake may be considered similar, the intended function of each is quite distinct. For the assessment of dietary intake, methods aim to measure food and nutrient intake and/or to derive dietary patterns for determining diet-disease relationships, population surveillance or the effectiveness of interventions. In comparison, dietary self-monitoring primarily aims to create awareness of and reinforce individual eating behaviours, in addition to tracking foods consumed. Advancements in the capabilities of technologies, such as smartphones and wearable devices, have enhanced the collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake data in both contexts. This Special Issue invites submissions on the use of novel technology-based approaches for the assessment of food and/or nutrient intake and for self-monitoring eating behaviours. Submissions may document any part of the development and evaluation of the technology-based approaches. Examples may include: web adaption of existing dietary assessment or self-monitoring tools (e.g., food frequency questionnaires, screeners) image-based or image-assisted methods mobile/smartphone applications for capturing intake for assessment or self-monitoring wearable cameras to record dietary intake or eating behaviours body sensors to measure eating behaviours and/or dietary intake use of technology-based methods to complement aspects of traditional dietary assessment or self-monitoring, such as portion size estimation

The clinical effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of body image disturbance in women with eating disorders

Body image disturbance is one of the necessary criteria for the diagnosis of both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and has been demonstrated to play a role in both the development and maintenance of eating pathology. Body image disturbance tends to persist after successful eating disorder treatment and is a strong predictor of relapse. A number of published studies have evaluated and demonstrated the effectiveness of stand-alone cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of body image disturbance in college samples, in obese individuals, and in those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder. In contrast, very few studies have investigated the effectiveness of treatment dedicated to body image disturbance in women suffering from an eating disorder. The purpose of the proposed study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group CBT for the treatment of body image disturbance in women previously diagnosed with, and treated for, an eating disorder. Women who had previously completed standard eating disorder treatment at a local outpatient treatment centre were recruited and quasi-randomly assigned to either a 10 week CBT group body image therapy or to a waitlist control (N = 22). All participants completed a comprehensive body image assessment and a variety of measures assessing general psychological functioning before and after treatment. Compared to waitlist controls, it was hypothesized that women who received body image therapy would demonstrate statistically and clinically significant improvements on all components of body image disturbance. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that women who participated in body image therapy would experience improvements in eating pathology and psychological functioning. In contrast to study predictions, statistical significance testing revealed no differences between women who took part in treatment compared to women who participated in the wait-list condition on measures of body image, eating pathology, and psychological functioning. However, clinical significance testing revealed that a higher percentage of women who participated in treatment were both reliably and clinically improved on various outcome measures, lending some support to the hypothesis that CBT for body image disturbance is an efficacious treatment for women with eating disorders. Qualitative information obtained from participants\u27 answers to open ended questions regarding group satisfaction suggest that body image treatment for women with eating disorders may benefit from being delivered over a longer period of time than was offered here. Additional sessions may create better conditions for eating disorder patients to overcome fears associated with confronting body image cognitive and emotional content

Emotion Recognition and Set Shifting in Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Objective: Neuropsychology models of anorexia nervosa (AN) propose that cognitive difficulties including poor Emotion Recognition (ER) and set-shifting ability may be central to the development and maintenance of eating pathology. This study aimed to test the central positions of such models by assessing specific ER difficulties in AN as well as the relationship between ER deficits and set-shifting performance. Methods: Fifty-one women were assessed (25 with AN; M = 28.20 SD = 8.69 and 26 control M = 21.27 SD = 5.10) on a novel measure of ER, a set-shifting test and self-report questionnaires concerning co-morbid factors. Results: The data did not reveal a global difference in ER or set-shifting performance between groups. Specific hypotheses of ER deficits in AN were also not met as performance on individual emotions was comparable between groups. There was an unexpected negative correlation between disgust recognition and set-shifting performance, however, this was only significant across the whole sample. ER performance was not related with any confounding factors. Conclusions: Despite an abundance of research supporting the position of social cognitive difficulties in AN, the current study failed to find global or specific deficits in ER in the present sample. Similarly, ER performance was not related to set-shifting as proposed by neuropsychological models of AN aetiology. Possible explanations for a lack of difference observed using this novel ER task are explored and future directions for evaluating ER in AN are discussed

Mobile Health Technologies

Mobile Health Technologies, also known as mHealth technologies, have emerged, amongst healthcare providers, as the ultimate Technologies-of-Choice for the 21st century in delivering not only transformative change in healthcare delivery, but also critical health information to different communities of practice in integrated healthcare information systems. mHealth technologies nurture seamless platforms and pragmatic tools for managing pertinent health information across the continuum of different healthcare providers. mHealth technologies commonly utilize mobile medical devices, monitoring and wireless devices, and/or telemedicine in healthcare delivery and health research. Today, mHealth technologies provide opportunities to record and monitor conditions of patients with chronic diseases such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and diabetes mellitus. The intent of this book is to enlighten readers about the theories and applications of mHealth technologies in the healthcare domain

Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of ImpulsePal: Smartphone App–Based Weight Management Intervention to Reduce Impulsive Eating in Overweight Adults

This is the final version. Available from JMIR Publications via the DOI in this record.Background: ImpulsePal is a theory-driven (dual-process), evidence-informed, and person-centered smartphone app intervention designed to help people manage impulsive processes that prompt unhealthy eating to facilitate dietary change and weight loss. Objective: The aims of this study were to (1) assess the feasibility of trial procedures for evaluation of the ImpulsePal intervention, (2) estimate standard deviations of outcomes, and (3) assess usability of, and satisfaction with, ImpulsePal. Methods: We conducted an individually randomized parallel two-arm nonblinded feasibility trial. The eligibility criteria included being aged ≥16 years, having a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2, and having access to an Android-based device. Weight was measured (as the proposed primary outcome for a full-scale trial) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months of follow-up. Participants were randomized in a 2:1 allocation ratio to the ImpulsePal intervention or a waiting list control group. A nested action-research study allowed for data-driven refinement of the intervention across 2 cycles of feedback. Results: We screened 179 participants for eligibility, and 58 were randomized to the intervention group and 30 to the control group. Data were available for 74 (84%, 74/88) participants at 1 month and 67 (76%, 67/88) participants at 3 months. The intervention group (n=43) lost 1.03 kg (95% CI 0.33 to 1.74) more than controls (n=26) at 1 month and 1.01 kg (95% CI −0.45 to 2.47) more than controls (n=43 and n=24, respectively) at 3 months. Feedback suggested changes to intervention design were required to (1) improve receipt and understanding of instructions and (2) facilitate further engagement with the app and its strategies. Conclusions: The evaluation methods and delivery of the ImpulsePal app intervention are feasible, and the trial procedures, measures, and intervention are acceptable and satisfactory to the participants. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 14886370; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14886370 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/76WcEpZ51)University of ExeterNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR

A Practical Guide on Behaviour Change Support for Self-Managing Chronic Disease

This open access book is a valuable resource for students in health and other professions and practicing professionals interested in supporting effective change in self-management behaviors in chronic disease, such as medication taking, physical activity and healthy eating. Developed under the auspices of the Train4Health project, funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, the book contains six chapters written by international contributors from different disciplines. Chapter one introduces the competencies necessary for delivering effective behavior change support, based on an established program of work, and related learning outcomes. The four following chapters describe how these competencies can be acquired, focusing on concepts and theories, assessing self-management behaviors, implementing change strategies and person-centered communication, using a practical approach. The last chapter points out supplementary learning resources, developed as part of the Train4Health project.publishersversionpublishe