title: A short food frequency questionnaire to assess intake of seafood and n-3 supplements: validation with biomarkers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seafood intake is associated with beneficial effects for human health. Seafood provides a number of nutrients beyond the traditionally known long chain marine n-3 fatty acids EPA, DPA and DHA, such as protein, vitamin D, iodine, selenium and vitamin B12. Valid assessment of dietary seafood and n-3 supplement intakes are becoming increasingly crucial when giving recommendations to populations as seafood consumption is regarded as an important part of a healthy and balanced diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim was to validate a short FFQ developed for assessment of dietary intake of seafood and n-3 supplements using the biomarkers marine n-3 fatty acids in erythrocytes and 25(OH)D in serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three healthy Norwegians aged 30-64 years with a mean BMI of 25 kg/m2 were compliant with the study protocol. 70% reported eating seafood for dinner one to two times per week, and 45% reported to eat seafood as spread, in salads or as snack meal three to five times or more per week. The FFQ correlated significantly with both the levels of marine n-3 fatty acids (r=0.73, p<0.0001) and with 25(OH)D (r=0.37, p<0.01). Mean level of marine n-3 and of 25(OH)D were 232±65 μg/g erythrocytes and 73±33 nmol/L serum, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present short FFQ predicted strongly the levels of marine n-3 fatty acids in erythrocytes, and predicted fairly good the level of serum 25(OH)D and may therefore be a valid method for assessment of seafood and n-3 supplements intake among adults.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), PO Box 2029 Nordnes, N-5817 Bergen, Norway. lisbeth.dahl@nifes.no
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: Camilla A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mæland
authors.forename: Tormod
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bjørkkjær
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017747:Seafood; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014807:Vitamin D; D007455:Iodine; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D012643:Selenium
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