Unit 5 Assignment
Olivia G Chappell
Purdue Global
NS 310: Nutritional Analysis and Assessment
Dr. Davidson
2/6/2024
It is of utmost importance for nutrition experts to select the appropriate nutrient analysis
software, as it has a direct impact on the accuracy and efficacy of dietary assessments for clients.
A proficient software should offer precise and comprehensive nutrient information, allowing for
customization based on individual needs. Additionally, a user-friendly interface and integration
with electronic health records contribute to its usability and collaboration. Regular updates to
databases and adherence to dietary guidelines ensure that recommendations are grounded in
reliable evidence. Furthermore, the implementation of robust security measures for data privacy
is equally significant. Ultimately, the choice of suitable software aids nutrition professionals in
providing precise, personalized, and secure dietary guidance to clients, thereby promoting overall
health and well-being.
The government-managed USDA FoodData Central is a comprehensive database that
provides detailed nutritional information for a wide range of foods. This valuable data is sourced
from scientific studies, food manufacturers, and other reliable sources, and is regularly updated
to ensure its accuracy. On the other hand, MyFitnessPal is a user-created platform where
individuals can input their food intake data. While it does contain some verified information, a
significant portion of its content is contributed by users. Therefore, the accuracy and
comprehensiveness of the data may vary depending on the input provided by users. However,
MyFitnessPal stands out for its extensive collection of over 6 million food items and brands,
which are specific to various regions (Evenepoel, 2020).
MyFitnessPal enables users to enter their own food items and nutritional details,
including homemade recipes. This content generated by users can occasionally result in
discrepancies in data accuracy, as it depends on the knowledge and input of individual users. In
contrast, USDA FoodData Central primarily depends on scientifically collected and verified
data, minimizing the chances of inaccuracies related to user-generated content. The
advancements in food technology, including the development of functional ingredient
formulations, product reformulations, and fortification of products, have been significant. As a
result of these evolving requirements, there is a growing concern regarding the variability in
nutrient composition and portion size weight data. It is crucial to enhance the specificity and
expand the coverage of the USDA database to address these changes (Ahuja, 2012). This is a
flaw within the database that could cause some issues to arise if a client’s diet consists of many
new foods that may not be in the database.
MyFitnessPal serves as both a comprehensive health and fitness application,
encompassing not only a nutritional database but also a range of other functionalities. It enables
users to track their physical activity, establish fitness objectives, and seamlessly integrate with
diverse fitness devices. On the other hand, USDA FoodData Central primarily concentrates on
delivering authoritative nutritional information. Although it may possess supplementary features
on its platform, it lacks the extensive array of fitness tracking and goal-setting capabilities found
in MyFitnessPal.
It is crucial to possess accurate information when considering the continuous expansion
of various food items in stores. MyFitnessPal offers a user-friendly scanner; nevertheless, there
are instances when the scanner fails to locate the product and necessitates regular updates
(Bearden, 2022). The USDA website is indeed user-friendly; however, it requires additional
effort as you need to manually transfer your results to an Excel sheet instead of the database
automatically logging it for you. Considering all this information, I would decide to use USDA
Central Database as my program in a nutrition office. Although it may be more time-consuming,
the benefits of accuracy would pay off in the end. The USDA, being the pioneer federal agency
to carry out research on human nutrition (Fukagawa, n.d.), has established itself as a superior
choice over MyFitnessPal. The USDA FoodCentral database would be my preferred option in a
practice where accuracy and authoritative nutritional information are prioritized.
References
Evenepoel, C., Clevers, E., Deroover, L., Van Loo, W., Matthys, C., & Verbeke, K. (2020).
Accuracy of Nutrient Calculations Using the Consumer-Focused Online App MyFitnessPal:
Validation Study. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(10), e18237.
https://doi.org/10.2196/18237
Ahuja, J., Moshfegh, A., Holden, J., & Harris, E. (2012, December 26). USDA food and nutrient
databases provide the infrastructure for food and Nutrition Research, policy, and Practice. The
Journal of Nutrition. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002231662201121X?via
%3Dihub
Fukagawa NK;McKillop K;Pehrsson PR;Moshfegh A;Harnly J;Finley J;, N., Mckillop, K.,
Pehrsson, P., Moshfegh, A., Harnly, J., & Finley, J. (n.d.). USDA’s FoodData Central: What is it
and why is it needed today? The American journal of clinical nutrition.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34893796/
Bearden, C. (2022, September 14). Myfitnesspal Review: Pros & cons of top fitness app.
BuiltLean. https://www.builtlean.com/myfitnesspal-review/
