To develop and evaluate a methodological framework for capturing dietary behaviors and food environment exposures in an occupational context, specifically a university setting.
Approach:
Study Design: An observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, involving employees and students.
Data Collection: Utilized the Mobile Sense App for dietary data capture, integrating features like time-stamped photographs and geolocation.
Phases: Data were collected over two phases: a pre-pilot phase in February 2025 and a pilot phase in May 2025.
Key Findings:
The study aimed to test the feasibility and usability of the Mobile Sense App for capturing eating behavior and food environment exposure in a university setting.
Participants included both employees and students, with data from those registering at least three meals per week on campus included in the analysis.
This study represents the first deployment in Sweden of a dedicated digital dietary assessment and food environment data collection system, integrating data capture through the Mobile Sense App.
Interpretation:
The integration of photographic and spatial analytics in dietary assessment can provide a comprehensive understanding of workplace food behaviors and dietary quality.
Limitations:
Reliance on convenience sampling may limit generalizability.
Only participants who registered at least three meals per week were included in the analysis.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the application of mobile technology in assessing dietary habits and food environments in workplace settings.
