Comparison of energy intake by semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire with total energy expenditure by the doubly labeled water method in young children.
We assessed the validity of a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire to estimate energy intake in young children by comparison with total energy expenditure (TEE). TEE was measured in 45 children (22 males and 23 females; 4.2-6.9 y of age) by the doubly labeled water method and body composition was estimated from bioelectrical resistance (20.2 +/- 4.0 kg body weight, 4.6 +/- 2.1 kg fat mass, and 15.6 +/- 3.1 kg fat-free mass). The sample included 36 white children and 9 Mohawk Native American children. The children's mothers completed one Willett food-frequency questionnaire to reflect the child's usual dietary intake over the last year. Total energy intake by food-frequency questionnaire (9.12 +/- 2.28 MJ/d) was significantly higher than TEE (5.74 +/- 1.13 MJ/d; P < 0.001). Misreporting of intake by food-frequency questionnaire ranged from 9.57 MJ/d overestimation to 1.58 MJ/d underestimation and was not significantly influenced by sex or body composition of the children. We conclude that use of the food-frequency questionnaire significantly overestimates energy intake in children.
Department of Medicine, Sims Obesity/Nutrition Research Center, University of Vermont, Burlington.
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Kaskoun
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Johnson
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Goran
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People