Comparison of a short food-frequency questionnaire and derived indices with a seven-day diet record in Belgian and Italian children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare food group intakes and dietary indices estimated from a 14-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with a seven day diet record.


METHODS
112 Belgian and 114 Italian children (11-12 years) completed the FFQ followed by a seven-day diary (FD) and a retest one week later. Dietary indices were calculated from the FFQ and the FD.


RESULTS
Spearman's correlations between the FFQ items and the diary varied between -0.13 and 0.67. When comparing the FFQ with the FD an overestimation was found for most items. The Excess Index was significantly correlated with energy intake (respectively 0.35 and 0.25 for Belgian and Italian children); the Variety Index with fiber intake (0.26 for both) and Calcium intake (respectively 0.32 and 0.41); the Fiber Index with fiber intake (respectively 0.30 and 0.37) and the Calcium Index with Calcium intake (respectively 0.47 and 0.50).


CONCLUSIONS
When the FFQ is used for estimating consumption frequencies, overestimation must be considered. The ability to rank individuals varies considerably between food items. The Calcium index can be useful in situations requiring brief dietary instruments. The value of the other indices is lower although still associations in the expected directions were found.
Vereecken
Carine Anna
CA
Department of Public Health, Ghent University, UH, bloc A, 2nd floor, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Carine.Vereecken@ugent.be
Rossi
Stefania
S
Giacchi
Mariano V
MV
Maes
Lea
L
D001530:Belgium; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D015930:Diet Records; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber