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Food Frequency Questionnaire Testing in Puerto Rican Children
Author(s) -
Preston Alan M,
Palacios Cristina A,
Rodriguez Cindy A,
Rodriguez Rose M Velez
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.559.5
Subject(s) - food frequency questionnaire , medicine , environmental health , vitamin , demography , gerontology , sociology
Knowledge of the diet of specific populations is of importance in assessment of the quantity and quality of nutrient intake. In this study, we assess the validity and reproducibility of an interviewer‐administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in Puerto Rican children at two educational levels – elementary and high school. The FFQ contained 97 items plus a section for vitamins and supplements. It was administered two times (FFQ 1 and FFQ 2) within a 1 month interval while 24 hr recall questionnaire data was collected 3 times from each participant in the period between FFQ administrations.. In all, 95 elementary school children (41 boys and 54 girls) and 90 high school students (43 boys and 47 girls) were used in this IRB‐ approved study. Results showed significant differences in FFQ reliability for comparison of most nutrients (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, iron and vitamin C). Validity between FFQ 1 and 24 hr recall averages was likewise disappointing, however when comparisons were made to FFQ 2, most nutrients were in agreement. Conclusions are that problems exist with this FFQ which might be attributed to length, inadequate attention by the participants or sequence of administration. Regarding the latter, being that the 24 hr average nutrient intakes were in agreement with FFQ 2, suggests that the subjects became more aware of usual dietary intake and could more accurately estimate values asked in the FFQ. Support is acknowledged from the MBRS program grant SO6 GM 08224.