Quantitative estimation of household and individual energy intake through post‐hoc calibrated, food frequency questionnaires: Experience in North West Syria.

A comparison of household food availability across three distinct agricultural groups in two rainfall zones was conducted in North West Syria. Food availability and intake data were collected on 207 households using a household food frequency questionnaire. Data were calibrated for portion size and household size and macro‐ and micronutrient intake/availability was estimated per adult capita. Comparison of nutrient intakes was made using FAO/WHO RNI for adult males. Major issues encountered were high levels of food energy (4500–6500 kcal across three groups) and poor nutrient quality. In one group, only 6% of total energy came from protein, lower than the mean value for Syria (9.8%). Energy contribution from sugar alone ranged from 2400–2700 kcal in the three groups, with sugar intakes constituting 51–60% of total energy. As this estimate is grossly higher than the FAO food balance sheet value of 12.25%, we suspect an overestimation error. A recalculation, replacing the reported sugar by the food balance sheet sugar values reduced the estimates to 3465–4200 kcal. The pitfalls and limitations of this survey approach are illustrated.