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Comparative validation of standard, picture-sort and meal-based food-frequency questionnaires adapted for an elderly population of low socio-economic status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2007

Sara A Quandt*
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Mara Z Vitolins
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Shannon L Smith
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Janet A Tooze
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Ronny A Bell
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Cralen C Davis
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA
Robert F DeVellis
Affiliation:
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Thomas A Arcury
Affiliation:
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
*
*Corresponding author: Email squandt@wfubmc.edu
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Abstract

Objective

To compare the validity of a modified Block food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), a picture-sort administration of the FFQ (PSFFQ) and a meal pattern-based questionnaire (MPQ) in a multi-ethnic population of low socio-economic status (SES).

Design

Participants completed six 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) over six months; the FFQ, PSFFQ and MPQ were completed in random order in the subsequent month. Instruments were interviewer-administered. The PSFFQ and MPQ were developed in formative research concerning difficulties for older adults in responding to standard food-frequency instruments.

Setting

Rural North Carolina, USA.

Subjects

One hundred and twenty-two African American, Native American and white adults aged ≥ 65 years, with approximately one-third in each ethnic group. Inclusion criteria included education ≤ 12 years and income ≤ 150% of national poverty level or Medicaid recipient.

Results

Comparing median intakes from the average of the 24HR with the three diet assessment instruments, the MPQ tended to overestimate intakes compared with the FFQ and PSFFQ. Correlations among nutrients obtained by the 24HR and the other three instruments were generally statistically significant and positive. Across nutrients, the PSFFQ was most highly correlated with the 24HR for women, while the FFQ was most highly correlated with the 24HR for men.

Conclusions

Dietary assessments using 24HR and FFQ were similar to results reported elsewhere, although correlations between 24HR and FFQ were somewhat lower. Interviewer-administered dietary assessments should be used with caution to evaluate dietary intake among older adults with low SES. Gender differences and the lower correlations should be investigated more thoroughly to assist in choosing dietary assessment instruments for this population.

Information

Type
Research Paper
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006
Figure 0

Table 1 Demographic and health characteristics of participants

Figure 1

Table 2 Comparison of median nutrient intakes estimated from the average of six 24-hour recalls, the food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the picture-sort food-frequency questionnaire (PSFFQ) and the meal pattern questionnaire (MPQ), by gender

Figure 2

Table 3 Correlations between the average of multiple 24-hour recalls and the food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the picture-sort food-frequency questionnaire (PSFFQ) and the meal pattern questionnaire (MPQ), by gender

Figure 3

Table 4 Correlations of the food-frequency questionnaire with the picture-sort food-frequency questionnaire (PSFFQ) and the meal pattern questionnaire (MPQ), by gender