[Validation of questionnaires for the study of food habits and bone mass].
BACKGROUND
The loss of bone mass and density is influenced by nutritional factors that act on the bone mass peak, age-related bone loss and muscle strength. The objective of the present study was to validate a food frequency questionnaire applied to estimate the relationship between food habits and bone mineral density (BMD) in a healthy adult population.


METHODS
The results of the food frequency questionnaire were compared with 24-hr recall findings. Calcaneus BMD was measured by densitometry.


RESULTS
The validity of the questionnaire was demonstrated, with Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.014 to 0.467. The Bland-Altman test also found no differences in study variables between the two methods. Correlation analysis showed that the BMD was significantly associated with the intake of vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate, thiamine and iron. Total fat consumption was not associated with BMD but the intake of monounsaturated fatty acids, EPA, DHA and cholesterol showed a significant correlation.


CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire evaluates the consumption of energy and nutrients with adequate validity. Its application revealed the importance for bone health of a diet rich in B-group vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, iron, monounsaturated fatty acids and n-3.
Rivas
A
A
Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España.
Romero
A
A
Mariscal
M
M
Monteagudo
C
C
Hernández
J
J
Olea-Serrano
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult