Information and communication technologies as methodological approaches for dietary assessment, using photos or videos of food consumption, are discussed in this study. Articles in ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciELO and MedLine/PubMed databases were searched in Portuguese and English, with no date limitation, using the following keywords: "picture/photo" or "video recording" in addition to "digital", "food", "serving size", "meal" and/or "food intake" and the association of these terms with: "precision", "validity" and "validation". The search was also extended to books that focus on this topic. From the total publications reviewed, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in the article. The results showed that photographs can be used to reference portions, food selection and food waste, with subsequent transfer to the computer. Therefore, trained observers do not necessarily need to follow food intake. This method has acceptable accuracy and validity to estimate portion sizes when it is compared with the direct visual estimation and weighed inventory methods. Another approach uses a hand-held personal digital assistant with camera and mobile telephone card with a dietary software that is designed for recording and self-monitoring food intake. This instrument enables the transfer of daily information on food and drink intakes to various sites, which helps data collection in surveys. An approach, still in development, includes a novel food recording method using a mobile device, with automatic determination of the food consumed. An attempt to investigate the spontaneous behavior of diners by video recording, facial recognition and cash register data at a model restaurant is also discussed.
Choice behavior; Food consumption; Photography; Nutrition surveys