The Problem:
<aside> 💡 For modern research studies on eating disorders and nutritional behavior, researchers rely on intake data reported by study subjects themselves, though these participants often under-report their consumption habits, including meal duration and quantity of food consumed. Lab-based studies often involve a third-party recorder, which can skew data as the participant is actively observed. Auracle, a joint research project of Dartmouth College and Clemson University, produces a device which seeks better reporting of binge-eating episodes through the use of a wearable contact microphone to detect a wearer’s instances of eating.
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The Solution:
<aside> 💡 Our DALI Lab team’s proposed solution is an iOS companion application targeted at study users and researchers who would use the app both to monitor individual data and aggregate data. This application would include data visualization features and an attractive user interface that encourages users to continue daily use of the Auracle device and notification features that may remind a user to wear the device or give updates and encouragements on the user’s performance. For researchers, the app would allow aggregate data visualization and the ability to export the data to other platforms for analysis.
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The Impact:
<aside> 💡 By being able to get more realistic data on binge eating, Auracle hopes to help researchers and people with binge eating disorders better come together to create more effective plans to combat binge eating.
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