Creating a Smartphone Application That Monitors the Consumption of FODMAPs to Prevent FODMAP Stacking
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Computer Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) are short-chain carbohydrates which can cause gastrointestinal distress due to their ability to rapidly ferment and draw water into the intestine. To combat symptoms, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, may be prescribed a Low FODMAP Diet, in which the consumption of FODMAPs is limited. However, adequately limiting FODMAPs can be difficult due to a process called FODMAP Stacking, where same-type FODMAPs from recently consumed foods accumulate in the stomach. The purpose of this project was to develop a smartphone application that allows for the user’s diet to be documented and calculates if the user eating a selected food item will stack FODMAPs past the Low FODMAP threshold. Based on the identified amount of total FODMAPs, the app displays an icon to the user, categorizing the total as Low, Medium, or High FODMAP. To test the app, different trios of food combinations were hand-calculated for FODMAP amounts and plugged into the app. The expected FODMAP categorization and the app-identified FODMAP categorization were compared, showing that the app displayed the correct category for all trials.
Recommended Citation
Gillam, Ella, "Creating a Smartphone Application That Monitors the Consumption of FODMAPs to Prevent FODMAP Stacking" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 35.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/35
Location
ECL 105
Start Date
3-25-2023 11:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Creating a Smartphone Application That Monitors the Consumption of FODMAPs to Prevent FODMAP Stacking
ECL 105
Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) are short-chain carbohydrates which can cause gastrointestinal distress due to their ability to rapidly ferment and draw water into the intestine. To combat symptoms, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, may be prescribed a Low FODMAP Diet, in which the consumption of FODMAPs is limited. However, adequately limiting FODMAPs can be difficult due to a process called FODMAP Stacking, where same-type FODMAPs from recently consumed foods accumulate in the stomach. The purpose of this project was to develop a smartphone application that allows for the user’s diet to be documented and calculates if the user eating a selected food item will stack FODMAPs past the Low FODMAP threshold. Based on the identified amount of total FODMAPs, the app displays an icon to the user, categorizing the total as Low, Medium, or High FODMAP. To test the app, different trios of food combinations were hand-calculated for FODMAP amounts and plugged into the app. The expected FODMAP categorization and the app-identified FODMAP categorization were compared, showing that the app displayed the correct category for all trials.
