Measuring how much you eat using 3D scans and photos

Assessment of Calories in the Diets Using 3D Scanning and a Photographic Method

Observational Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology ,Chinese Academy of Sciences · NCT07371559

This project will test whether combining 3D plate scans and photographs can accurately measure how much food healthy adults with specific BMIs eat.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages22 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorShenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology ,Chinese Academy of Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shenzhen, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT07371559 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The project will recruit 200 volunteers who will be given food and allowed to choose items according to their usual eating habits. Researchers will take 3D scans and photographs of each participant's plate before and after eating. Images will be processed with image-recognition software and intelligent applications developed with Astravis (Switzerland) to estimate energy intake per meal. The combined 3D/photo method will be compared with current approaches to improve accuracy of dietary energy measurement in research.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with BMI in the specified ranges (healthy underweight 15 < BMI ≤ 18.5 or normal 21.5 ≤ BMI < 25), able to choose food as requested, and without metabolic disease, diabetes, pregnancy, eating disorders, recent disease-related weight loss, or ongoing weight-loss treatment.

Not a fit: People with metabolic diseases, diabetes, infectious diseases, eating disorders, recent disease-related weight loss, ongoing weight-loss treatment, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide researchers and clinicians a more accurate and convenient way to measure calorie intake and support better dietary guidance.

How similar studies have performed: Photo-based image-recognition methods have shown promise for estimating food energy, but combining 3D scanning with photographic methods is relatively new and not yet widely validated.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Recently measured body mass index (BMI): normal control group (21.5 ≤ BMI \< 25); Recently measured body mass index (BMI): healthy underweight group (15 \< BMI ≤ 18.5); Must be able to choose the food as requested.

Exclusion Criteria:

Metabolic diseases; Recent weight loss due to various disease causes; Ongoing treatment for weight loss; Eating disorders; Pregnant or lactating women; Infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis; Diabetes mellitus.

Where this trial is running

Shenzhen, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Data Collectionfood intakefood preferencefood energy assessment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.