Accuracy of fourth-graders' dietary recalls of school breakfast and school lunch validated with observations: in-person versus telephone interviews.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the accuracy of children's dietary recalls of school breakfast and school lunch validated with observations and obtained during in-person versus telephone interviews.


METHODS
Each child was observed eating school breakfast and school lunch and was interviewed that evening about that day's intake.


METHODS
Ten elementary schools.


METHODS
A sample of fourth-graders was randomly selected within race (black, white) and gender strata, observed, and interviewed in person (n = 33) or by telephone (n = 36).


METHODS
Rates for omissions (items observed but not reported) and intrusions (items reported but not observed) were calculated to determine accuracy for reporting items. A measure of total inaccuracy was calculated to determine inaccuracy for reporting items and amounts combined.


METHODS
Analysis of variance; chi-square.


RESULTS
Interview type (in person, telephone) did not significantly affect recall accuracy. For omission rate, intrusion rate, and total inaccuracy, means were 34%, 19%, and 4.6 servings for in-person recalls and 32%, 16%, and 4.3 servings for telephone recalls of school breakfast and school lunch.


CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of children's recalls of school breakfast and school lunch is not significantly different whether obtained in person or by telephone. Whether interviewed in person or by telephone, children reported only 67% of items observed; furthermore, 17% of items reported were not observed.
Baxter
Suzanne Domel
SD
Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Prevention Institute HS-1640, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912-3710, USA. sbaxter@mail.mcg.edu
Thompson
William O
WO
Litaker
Mark S
MS
Guinn
Caroline H
CH
Frye
Francesca H A
FH
Baglio
Michelle L
ML
Shaffer
Nicole M
NM
D002648:Child; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012574:Schools; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013689:Telephone