UCRH researcher Caroline Deen is a co-author of a newly published study that confirms the reliability of an updated dietary assessment tool designed for use in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The study tested the updated Menzies Remote Short-Item Dietary Assessment Tool (MRSDAT) against traditional 24-hour dietary recalls. It involved 99 participants from nine remote communities across Central Australia, North Northern Territory and Cape York, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and overweight adults.
Results showed that the MRSDAT produced dietary quality scores closely aligned with the more time-consuming recall method. The tool’s speed, convenience and built-in feedback make it a practical option for both research and service delivery.
This validation supports the MRSDAT as a culturally relevant and efficient way to assess diet quality in remote settings — a meaningful step towards improving health outcomes in communities where tailored tools are essential.
