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  • Original Article
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The standardized computerized 24-h dietary recall method EPIC-Soft adapted for pan-European dietary monitoring

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages S5–S15 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The EPIC-Soft program (the software initially developed to conduct 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study) was recommended as the best way to standardize 24-HDRs for future pan-European dietary monitoring. Within European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL), EPIC-Soft was adapted and further developed on various aspects that were required to optimize its use. In this paper, we present the structure and main interview steps of the EPIC-Soft program, after implementation of a series of new specifications deemed to satisfy specific requirements of pan-European monitoring surveys and other international studies.

Subjects/Methods:

Updates to optimize the EPIC-Soft program were ascertained according to the following stepwise approach: (1) identification of requested specifications to be potentially implemented through an ad hoc ‘EPIC-Soft specifications questionnaire’ sent to past, current and possible future users of the software; (2) evaluation of the specifications in collaboration with two ad hoc task force groups and through a workshop; (3) development of a technical solution for each retained specification; (4) implementation of the specifications by software developers; (5) testing and amendment of bugs.

Results:

A number of new specifications and facilities were implemented to EPIC-Soft program. In addition, the software underwent a full reprogramming and migration to a modern Windows environment, including changes in its internal architecture and user interface. Although the overall concept and structure of the initial software were not changed substantially, these improvements ease the current and future use of EPIC-Soft and increase further its adaptation to other countries and study contexts.

Conclusions:

EPIC-Soft is enriched with further functions and facilities expected to fulfil specific needs of pan-European dietary monitoring and risk assessment purposes. The validity, feasibility and relevance of this software for different national and international study designs, and the logistical aspects related to its implementation are reported elsewhere.

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Acknowledgements

The content of this article reflects only our views and the Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. We also thank G & P Grange for software development; all IARC and EPIC collaborators who contributed to the initial or current work on the EPIC-Soft program; and those who responded to the new specification and other questionnaires. The Community funding under the Sixth Framework Program for the EFCOVAL project is acknowledged (FOOD-CT-2006-022895).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dietary Exposure Assessment Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

    N Slimani, C Casagrande, G Nicolas, H Freisling & I Huybrechts

  2. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    M C Ocké, E M Niekerk, C van Rossum & E J de Boer

  3. Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    I Huybrechts, M Bellemans & M De Maeyer

  4. Food Intake and Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, French agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France

    L Lafay

  5. Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany

    C Krems

  6. Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian and Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain

    P Amiano

  7. Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    E Trolle, A Geelen & J H de Vries

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  1. N Slimani
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  2. C Casagrande
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N Slimani.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Contributors: NS, GN, CC and HF contributed to the conception and drafting of the paper by taking into account the comments from all the co-authors. IH, MCO, EMN, CvR, MB, MDM, LL, CK, PA, ET, AG, JHdV and EJdB contributed to the conception of the paper. All of them gave input on the drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version.

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Slimani, N., Casagrande, C., Nicolas, G. et al. The standardized computerized 24-h dietary recall method EPIC-Soft adapted for pan-European dietary monitoring. Eur J Clin Nutr 65 (Suppl 1), S5–S15 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.83

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