A meta-analysis of the validity of FFQ targeted to adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The present work is aimed at meta-analysing validity studies of FFQ for adolescents, to investigate their overall accuracy and variables that can affect it negatively.


METHODS
A meta-analysis of sixteen original articles was performed within the ASSO Project (Adolescents and Surveillance System in the Obesity prevention).


METHODS
The articles assessed the validity of FFQ for adolescents, compared with food records or 24 h recalls, with regard to energy and nutrient intakes.


METHODS
Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients, means/standard deviations, kappa agreement, percentiles and mean differences/limits of agreement (Bland-Altman method) were extracted. Pooled estimates were calculated and heterogeneity tested for correlation coefficients and means/standard deviations. A subgroup analysis assessed variables influencing FFQ accuracy.


RESULTS
An overall fair/high correlation between FFQ and reference method was found; a good agreement, measured through the intake mean comparison for all nutrients except sugar, carotene and K, was observed. Kappa values showed fair/moderate agreement; an overall good ability to rank adolescents according to energy and nutrient intakes was evidenced by data of percentiles; absolute validity was not confirmed by mean differences/limits of agreement. Interviewer administration mode, consumption interval of the previous year/6 months and high number of food items are major contributors to heterogeneity and thus can reduce FFQ accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
The meta-analysis shows that FFQ are accurate tools for collecting data and could be used for ranking adolescents in terms of energy and nutrient intakes. It suggests how the design and the validation of a new FFQ should be addressed.
1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro',University of Palermo,Via Del Vespro 133,90127 Palermo,Italy.
Garden
G
Tabacchi
1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro',University of Palermo,Via Del Vespro 133,90127 Palermo,Italy.
Anna Rita
AR
Filippi
1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro',University of Palermo,Via Del Vespro 133,90127 Palermo,Italy.
Emanuele
E
Amodio
2School of Science,University of Greenwich at Medway,Chatham Maritime,Kent,UK.
Monèm
M
Jemni
3Sport and Exercise Sciences Unit,University of Palermo,Palermo,Italy.
Antonino
A
Bianco
1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro',University of Palermo,Via Del Vespro 133,90127 Palermo,Italy.
Alberto
A
Firenze
1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro',University of Palermo,Via Del Vespro 133,90127 Palermo,Italy.
Caterina
C
Mammina
D000293:Adolescent; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004034:Diet Surveys / Q000592:standards*; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
Adolescent; FFQ; Meta-analysis; Validity