The effectiveness of a short food frequency questionnaire in determining vitamin D intake in children.
Previous studies have found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children, yet few validated dietary vitamin D assessment tools are available for use in children. Our objective was to determine whether a short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) can effectively assess vitamin D intake in children. Vitamin D intake ascertained by a SFFQ was compared with assessments by a previously validated long food frequency questionnaire (LFFQ) in a population of 296 healthy 6- to 14-y-old children (54% male, 60% African American) from Pittsburgh, PA. The questionnaires were completed at two points 6 mo apart. Median reported daily vitamin D intake from the SFFQ (baseline: 380 IU, follow-up: 363 IU) was higher than the LFFQ (255 IU and 254 IU, respectively). Reported median dairy intake, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, was 3.7 cups/day, which meets the USDA recommendation for children. Vitamin D intake reported by the 2 questionnaires was modestly correlated at baseline and follow-up (r = 0.35 and r = 0.37, respectively; p < 0.001). These associations were stronger in Caucasians (r = 0.48 and r = 0.49, p < 0.001) than in African Americans (r = 0.27 and r = 0.31; p = 0.001). The sensitivity of the SFFQ for predicting daily vitamin D intake, defined as intake of ≥ 400 IU on both the SFFQ and LFFQ, was 65%. Specificity, defined as intake of < 400 IU on both questionnaires, was 42%. Vitamin D requirements may not be met despite adequate consumption of dairy products. The SFFQ was found to be a modestly valid and sensitive tool for dietary assessment of vitamin D intake in children.
Department of Nutrition; Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions; Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA USA.
Anita M
AM
Nucci
Atlanta, GA USA.
Caitlin Sundby
CS
Russell
Department of Mathematics and Statistics; College of Education; Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA USA.
Ruiyan
R
Luo
Department of Nutrition; Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions; Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA USA.
Vijay
V
Ganji
Department of Pediatrics; Division of General Academic Pediatrics; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC; Pittsburgh, PA USA.
Flora
F
Olabopo
Department of Nutrition; Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions; Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA USA.
Barbara
B
Hopkins
Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics; Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA USA.
Michael F
MF
Holick
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Department of Pediatrics; Division of General Academic Pediatrics; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC; CHOB; Pittsburgh, PA USA.
Kumaravel
K
Rajakumar
adolescents; children; food frequency questionnaire; nutrition assessment; validity; vitamin D