Response to a mail nutritional survey in an older bi-racial community population.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a pilot study of a mail food frequency questionnaire among a bi-racial sample of 200 persons 65 years and older, selected from participants of an ongoing community study.


METHODS
Up to three successive mailings were followed by personal contact with nonresponders. Response to the mail survey was higher in whites (81%) than in blacks (53%). Personal contact was important to achieving high and uniform response (94%) in both racial groups.


RESULTS
Those responding to the mailed questionnaires were also more likely to be older and higher educated. The vast majority of questionnaires returned by mail were complete; 85% had fewer than 15 missing items out of 152 questions.


CONCLUSIONS
A mail nutritional survey is a feasible method of dietary assessment in older, white populations, but personal contact with nonresponders may be required for comparable participation among blacks.
Institute on Aging, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
M C
MC
Morris
G A
GA
Colditz
D A
DA
Evans
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People