Computer software design for children's recording of food intake

Computers provide exciting possibilities for enhancing children's dietary r ecording. Class discussions were conducted with 20 third-through fifth-grad e classes (n = 337 students) to identify preferred computer game formats, a ssess student ability to quantify and record portion sizes, and collect inf ormation on recall of eating habits. Receiving immediate gratification (e.g ., challenging, fun) was the most frequent reason for playing computer game s. Quantifying food amounts was difficult. Most students preferred selectin g "mounds" (not measuring cups) to record amount eaten. Although most stude nts could identify type of milk consumed, they were less sure of margarine/ butter or mayonnaise type.