Method and system for measurement of intake of foods, nutrients and other food components in the diet

An interactive dietary measurement system for measurement of dietary intake of users, comprising:

• weight input means for entering weigh-in and weigh-out data,
• display means for display of various information,
• data collection means for collecting food intake data, said data collection means including:
• user interactive means for permitting a user to communicate with the system,
• database means for providing a food code for each recorded food response to food descriptions entered from said interactive means,
• storage means for storing recorded weight data and associated food code data,
• means for controlling operation and processing of entered data, said means for processing of entered data further providing a plurality of measurement options with respective directives for different food services through said display means, said weigh-in data being tagged according to food services in said storage means in order to track the measurements of each said option in use and to advise the user of the current entered data and the next action in the measurement.

A method for measurement of dietary intake by using a computer or microprocessor which includes a storage means for storing recorded data and processed data, said method comprising the steps of:

• entering weigh-in and weigh-out data into said computer through an electronic balance connected to said computer,
• displaying a variety of information on a display connected to said computer,
• storing and displaying a plurality of weigh-in options for different food services or habits for allowing a user to make a weigh-in measurement selection,
• advising a user of said weigh-in measurement in advance, through said display, for each of said weigh-in options selected by users through an input device,
• tagging said weigh-in data with respect to said different weigh-in options in use,
• storing and displaying a plurality of weigh-out options for different food leftover services or habits for allowing users to make a weigh-out measurement selection,
• advising users of measurement actions in advance through said display means for each of said weigh-out options selected by users through said input device.

An interactive measurement apparatus for accurate measurement of dietary intake of users without need of assistance from dietary staff or changing a user's dietary habits, comprising:

• data input means for entering food weigh-in and weigh-out data, said data input means including weight input means and alphanumeric input means;
• calculation and control means for producing correct dietary intake data by use of said weigh-in and weigh-out data and controlling operation of the apparatus;
• food identification means for storing a plurality of food group names and food names including a plurality of combination food names, each of said food names being associated with a code or codes representing descriptions of said combination foods;
• means for providing user services including provisions of a plurality of options and directives for correct measurement of different foods without need of changing a user's dietary habits;
• means for generating feedback signals of errors;
• means for informing users of various information including said data entered by the users, said user measurement options and directives, said feedback signals and processed results.