RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Identifying the Best Tools for Recording Diet in Free-living UK Adults (SODIAT-2 Study)

The SODIAT-2 study wants to find the best and easiest ways to check what people eat and drink in their everyday lives. They are inviting 133 adults in Great Britain to try out different tools over five weeks. These tools include small wearable cameras, simple blood and urine samples you can take yourself, and online food diaries. The study wants to see if combining these tools gives a clearer picture of someone's diet and if new technologies can make tracking food intake easier and more accurate for everyone. This will help scientists understand diet better without people having to visit a clinic.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Reading

Enrolment target

133

Start

25 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Dietary Intake Assessment Food Intake Measurement

What is this study about?

The SODIAT-2 study is a research project aiming to discover the most effective and practical ways to measure what people eat and drink in their normal, day-to-day lives. Up until now, many studies have relied on people remembering and writing down everything they’ve eaten, which can be tricky to get exactly right. This new study is exploring if combining different modern tools can give a more accurate and less burdensome picture of someone's diet. This is really important because understanding people's diets better can help us learn more about health and how food affects our bodies.

The researchers are particularly interested in seeing how well certain new technologies work outside of clinics or controlled settings. They'll be testing things like small cameras you wear, simple blood and urine tests that can be done at home, and online questionnaires where you can quickly log what you've eaten. A key part of this study is also to see if these different methods work well together to provide a more complete and accurate understanding of your diet and nutritional status.

Ultimately, the goal is to develop better tools for tracking diet that aren't too much effort for people to use, are accurate, and can be used on a larger scale. This means researchers could learn more about what people really eat across the country, which could lead to better health advice and research in the future.

Key takeaways

The study tests new ways to measure what you eat in daily life.
It involves using wearable cameras, blood/urine samples, and online questionnaires.
You'll participate from home for about 6 weeks.
One week involves a provided meal plan, others your usual diet.
Your contribution helps improve future diet research for everyone.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and live in England, Scotland, or Wales. You also need to be able to read and understand instructions in English. This study will ask you to collect urine and blood samples yourself, use a small wearable camera, and complete online surveys about what you've eaten. You also need to be comfortable with video calls where your camera is on.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you are underweight (with a BMI below 18.5), or if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you have an eating disorder or concerns about your relationship with food, this study isn't suitable. Also, if you have a health condition or take medication that significantly affects your metabolism or appetite, you won't be able to join.

Other reasons include not being able to avoid certain diet supplements (like fish oils or vitamins) for the duration of the study, or if you can't receive specially delivered groceries from Sainsbury's or Tesco. If you have severe food allergies or dislikes that would stop you from eating a specific meal plan provided during one week of the study, or can't eat three meals and snacks daily, then you'd also be unable to participate.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years or older?
Do you live in England, Scotland, or Wales?
Can you read and understand English instructions?
Are you comfortable collecting your own finger-prick blood and urine samples?
Can you avoid taking most dietary supplements for 6 weeks?
Do you not have an eating disorder or concerns about your relationship with food?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be involved for a total of about six weeks. The first week is a 'Welcome Week' where you'll get used to things. This involves getting study equipment sent to you, learning how to use it through online videos, and having a video call with a researcher to ask any questions. During this week, you'll also take an initial finger-prick blood sample and complete online questionnaires about your usual diet.

The main part of the study lasts five weeks, and you'll do everything from your own home or workplace. For two of these weeks (Week 1 and Week 5), you'll go about your normal diet and use the study tools – the wearable camera, collecting blood and urine samples, and completing online food diaries – for three days. In Week 3, you'll follow a specific 3-day meal plan that the study provides, and you'll use all the same tools during this time as well. You'll need to post samples on specific days and be able to receive and send back parcels. All packaging and postage will be paid for by the study, and they will arrange courier services and grocery deliveries.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you'll be helping scientists understand how to best measure diet, which could lead to better health advice for everyone in the future. There are generally no direct medical benefits to you from participating. Potential risks are minimal but include the slight discomfort of collecting finger-prick blood samples and urine samples. You will also need to dedicate some time and effort to follow the study instructions, including wearing a camera for periods and completing online surveys. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to leave the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect any medical care you receive.

Locations (4)

Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, University of Reading
Reading, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth, United Kingdom· Recruiting
University of Cambridge, Pathology building level 4, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Cambridge, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting
Nutrition Research Section, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College
London, United Kingdom· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What kind of camera will I need to wear?

You'll be given a small wearable camera to use, which will help record what you eat and drink.

How do I take the blood and urine samples?

You'll be given clear instructions and equipment to collect small finger-prick blood samples and urine samples yourself at home.

Do I have to eat specific food for the whole study?

No, you only follow a specific meal plan for 3 days during Week 3. For the rest of the study, you'll eat your usual diet.

Will I have to pay for anything?

No, all study materials, equipment, groceries for Week 3, and postage for samples will be provided and paid for by the study.

How much time will this take each day?

You'll need to spend about 20-30 minutes online on several occasions to record what you've eaten, plus time for sample collection and using the camera.

How to find out more

Julie A Lovegrove, Professor

j.a.lovegrove@reading.ac.uk +44 (0) 118 378 6418 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.