Acceptability of a Wearable Dietary Monitoring Device in Patients of a Pediatric Obesity Clinic

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the acceptability of a wearable dietary monitoring device in patients of the Fit for Healthy Weight Clinic, a pediatric obesity clinic at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The device prototype and accompanying phone application were created by the Electrical Engineering Department at UCLA. Two focus groups were conducted, one with seven males and one with six females between the ages of 13 and 17 years. Findings from this study indicate that both males and females found the concept of the wearable dietary monitoring device with phone application potentially beneficial and inventive. However, improvements should be made to future prototypes to increase appeal in design, comfort, and functionality. Additional studies should be conducted after modifications are made to distinguish an operational prototype for larger scale trials.