title: Measurement error in dietary data: implications for the epidemiologic study of the diet-disease relationship.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of measurement error in dietary data on the relationship between diet and body mass index (BMI). To correct for the effect of measurement error on diet-BMI association by using replicate measurements of diet. The effect of measurement error on diet--BMI relationship was simulated, and its implications are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first and second China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in 1989 and 1991, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine adults age 20-45 y at the 1989 survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical methods were used to demonstrate the effect of measurement error in dietary data on the diet-BMI association.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By using the average of three replicate 24 h dietary recalls, the attenuation of diet-BMI association was reduced substantially. The regression coefficients of fat and energy intakes differed markedly from those computed by using only single measurement of diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement error in dietary data may significantly attenuate the diet-disease association. Where appropriate, specific emphasis may be needed to address the problem of measurement error in the study of diet-disease relationship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27516-3997, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paeratakul
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Popkin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kohlmeier
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hertz-Picciotto
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015930:Diet Records; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004194:Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004813:Epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats