Leemoo, a dietary assessment and nutritional planning software, using fuzzy logic.

BACKGROUND

Leemoo is a user-friendly software designed for nutritional planning and dietary assessment applications by cooperation of Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, which uses fuzzy logic for the first time. It provides a range of recommended servings for food groups, which are easier for people to follow.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research was to describe the applications of this newly introduced software.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

LEEMOO CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING DATABASES: food, nutrients, MyPyramid equivalents and physical activity. These databases facilitate diet analysis and planning. The food composition database includes 2920 Iranian food items, with the nutrient composition for up to 64 nutrients.

RESULTS

All databases are flexible for updating. The program can calculate the amounts of nutrients and food group intakes and compare these with Dietary Reference Intakes and MyPyramid recommendations. This software has the ability of nutritional planning and estimates normal intake ranges of seven food groups based on person need.

CONCLUSIONS

This software was envisaged for use by health professionals, researchers and ordinary people and can be recommended for educational purpose and nutrition research in Iran. Future studies must be conducted to evaluate the effects of this software on users' dietary habits and nutrition knowledge.