Assessing dietary intake in populations at differing stages of economic development

Objective Modeling the Epidemiologic Transition Study (METS) is a population‐based study being conducted in rural Ghana, urban South Africa, Seychelles, urban Jamaica and suburban US – sites representing African‐origin populations at different stages of the epidemiologic transition. We sought to apply a uniform method of assessing dietary intake in these disparate settings. Methods Young adults were recruited in each site. Dietary intake was assessed using the multiple‐pass method with two 24‐hr recalls and a method developed by the Medical Research Council, South Africa, which incorporated photographs of all common foods. Data were analyzed using NDSR for food groups and nutrients. Results About 1500 people have been recruited, with dietary assessment complete for Jamaica, Seychelles and US. US had the lowest fruit and vegetable intake (3.2 svg/d) and Jamaica the highest (5.7 svg/d); mean dairy intake was uniformly low in all sites (0.6 – 1.1 svg/d). Mean total energy intake ranged from 1800 kcal/d in Seychelles to 2300 kcal/d in the US; US reported the highest % of energy from fat (36.4%) and Jamaica the lowest (24.8%). Conclusion Dietary assessment using a photograph‐based method provides realistic estimates of energy intake, macronutrient and food group composition in populations at different stages of economic development and will improve cross‐cultural analysis of diet and chronic disease risk