Comparison of selected nutrient intakes between the Block FFQ and unannounced 24‐hour recalls in periconceptional couples

ISIS is an ongoing, multicenter prospective study that evaluates a couple's periconceptional health and antioxidant status. Recent literature suggests that periconceptional diet may be important in determining pregnancy outcome. A total of 95 women (ages 21–34, mean BMI 23.9) and 91 men (ages 21–45, mean BMI 27.0) completed the web‐based version of the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and 3 unannounced telephone diet recalls upon entry into the study. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to compare antioxidant nutrients between methods. Values were log transformed. Vitamins A (VA), C (VC), E (VE) and beta carotene (BC) were energy adjusted per 1000 kcal. Mean FFQ intakes were higher for VA, BC, VC and lower for total energy, VE and folate than diet recalls in both genders. Correlation coefficients for women ranged from a low of r=0.20 for VE to a high of r=0.47 for BC. For men, correlation coefficients ranged from a low of r=0.23 for VE to a high of r=0.44 for VC. Ongoing analyses are comparing dietary intakes within couple dyads. Results of this study document differences in nutrient assessment between unannounced diet recalls and FFQ's, but suggest that the web‐based Block FFQ may provide reasonable estimates of periconceptional antioxidant status in healthy couples planning a first pregnancy. Grant Funding Source : RO1 HD49762‐01A2