title: Household-level dietary quality indicator for countries in nutritional transition: application to vulnerable communities in El Salvador.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a household-level diet quality indicator (HDQI) using the Salvadorian dietary guidelines to assess the dietary quality of households in vulnerable communities in El Salvador.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Salvadorian dietary guidelines were reviewed and eighteen HDQI components were identified (nine foods and nine nutrients). The components were evaluated using a proportional scoring system from 0 to 1, penalizing over- and under-consumption, where appropriate. The HDQI was validated in consultations with experts in El Salvador and by statistical analyses of the study sample data. Dietary variety and energy, nutrient and food intakes were compared among households above and below the median HDQI score using Student's t test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vulnerable, border communities in El Salvador.
  
  
  METHODS
  Households (n 140) provided food consumption information using an FFQ and sociodemographic data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean HDQI score was 63·5, ranging from 43·6 to 90·0. The indicator showed a positive, significant association with the dietary variety components. The statistical associations of the indicator with the energy and nutrient components were as expected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the indicator's demonstrated face validity and the results of the expert consultations, the indicator is suggested as a good measure of diet quality for households in El Salvador.
authors.affiliation: 1 Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fuster
authors.affiliation: 1 Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Houser
authors.affiliation: 1 Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Messer
authors.affiliation: 2 Regional Food and Nutrition Security Program for Central America, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors.forename: Patricia Palma
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: de Fulladolsa
authors.affiliation: 2 Regional Food and Nutrition Security Program for Central America, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deman
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Odilia I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Bermudez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004544:El Salvador / Q000453:epidemiology; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000592:standards; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*