Criterion validity and user acceptability of a CD-ROM-mediated food record for measuring fruit and vegetable consumption among black adolescents.

OBJECTIVES To determine the criterion validity and user acceptability of the Healthy Eating Self-Monitoring Tool (HEST), a CD-ROM-mediated food record for measuring fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged black adolescents. DESIGN Item intakes, daily intake measures of fruit, vegetables and juices, and daily and total fruit and vegetable intake assessed with the HEST over a 3 d interval were compared with observed intake using Spearman correlations and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests. Mean ratings of participants' interest in, enjoyment of and likelihood of recommending the HEST to peers were compared with an a priori criterion rating for establishing user acceptability of the HEST. SETTING Youth services agencies in New York City. SUBJECTS Eighty-nine black adolescents aged 11 to 14 years. RESULTS Spearman correlations were significant for 67 % of items, for daily intake measures of fruit (days 1 and 3), vegetables and juices (days 1 and 2), and for fruit and vegetable intake (all three days). Wilcoxon signed ranks tests found non-significant intake differences for 78 % of these items, for daily intake measures of fruit and vegetables, and for fruit and vegetable intake (days 2 and 3). HEST-recorded 3 d intake of 14.65 servings was significantly correlated with and did not differ significantly from observed 3 d intake of 15.21 servings. Youths' HEST-recorded intake was accurate to within 0.56 of a serving of their observed intake. Mean ratings of the HEST were above the criterion rating across user acceptability dimensions assessed. CONCLUSIONS The HEST is a promising food record approach that is acceptable to youths.