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

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara A Quandt ◽  
Mara Z Vitolins ◽  
Shannon L Smith ◽  
Janet A Tooze ◽  
Ronny A Bell ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo 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).DesignParticipants 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.SettingRural North Carolina, USA.SubjectsOne 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.ResultsComparing 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.ConclusionsDietary 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.

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Johansson ◽  
Dag S. Thelle ◽  
Kari Solvoll ◽  
Gunn-Elin Aa. Bjørneboe ◽  
Christian A. Drevon

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of social status and lifestyle for dietary habits, since these factors may influence life expectancy. We studied the association of four indicators for healthy dietary habits (fruits and vegetables, fibre, fat and Hegsted score) with sex, age, socio-economic status, education, physical leisure exercise, smoking and personal attention paid to keeping a healthy diet. Data were gathered with a self-administered quantitative food-frequency questionnaire distributed to a representative sample of Norwegian men and women aged 16–79 years in a national dietary survey, of whom 3144 subjects (63%) responded. Age and female sex were positively associated with indicators for healthy dietary habits. By separate evaluation length of education, regular physical leisure exercise and degree of attention paid to keeping a healthy diet were positively associated with all four indicators for healthy dietary habits in both sexes. Socio-economic status, location of residence and smoking habits were associated with from one to three indicators for healthy dietary habits. In a multiple regression model, age, education and location of residence together explained from 1 to 9% of the variation (R2) in the four dietary indicators. Length of education was significantly associated with three of four dietary indicators both among men and women. By including the variable ‘attention paid to keeping a healthy diet’ in the model, R2 increased to between 4 and 15% for the four dietary indicators. Length of education remained correlated to three dietary indicators among women, and one indicator among men, after adjusting for attention to healthy diet, age and location of residence. Residence in cities remained correlated to two indicators among men, but none among women, after adjusting for age, education and attention to healthy diet. In conclusion, education was associated with indicators of a healthy diet. Attention to healthy diet showed the strongest and most consistent association with all four indicators for healthy dietary habits in both sexes. This suggests that personal preferences may be just as important for having a healthy diet as social status determinants.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 797-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Coosje Dijkstra ◽  
Judith E Neter ◽  
Maartje M van Stralen ◽  
Dirk L Knol ◽  
Ingeborg A Brouwer ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to identify barriers for meeting the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults and to investigate socio-economic status (SES) differences in these barriers. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of these barriers in the association between SES and adherence to these guidelines.DesignCross-sectional.SettingLongitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), the Netherlands.SubjectsWe used data from 1057 community-dwelling adults, aged 55–85 years. SES was measured by level of education and household income. An FFQ was used to assess dietary intake and barriers were measured with a self-reported lifestyle questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 48·9 % of the respondents perceived a barrier to adhere to the fruit guideline, 40·0 % for the vegetable and 51·1 % for the fish guideline. The most frequently perceived barriers to meet the guidelines were the high price of fruit and fish and a poor appetite for vegetables. Lower-SES groups met the guidelines less often and perceived more barriers. The association between income and adherence to the fruit guideline was mediated by ‘perceiving any barrier to meet the fruit guideline’ and the barrier ‘dislike fruit’. The association between income and adherence to the fish guideline was mediated by ‘perceiving any barrier to meet the fish guideline’ and the barrier ‘fish is expensive’.ConclusionsPerceived barriers for meeting the dietary guidelines are common in older adults, especially in lower-SES groups. These barriers and in particular disliking and cost concerns explained the lower adherence to the guidelines for fruit and fish in lower-income groups in older adults.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARJOLEIN I. BROESE VAN GROENOU ◽  
THEO VAN TILBURG

This paper examines the impact of childhood and adulthood socio-economic status (SES) on personal network characteristics in later life. Data are derived from 2,285 married older adults (born between 1903 and 1937) who participated in face-to-face interviews for the Dutch survey on ‘Living arrangements and social networks of older adults’ conducted in 1992. Childhood and adulthood SES were indicated by the father's and own level of education and occupation. Multivariate analyses showed that SES in adulthood has more impact on network features in old age than father's SES. People with low lifetime SES or with downward SES mobility had small networks, low instrumental and emotional support from non-kin, but high instrumental support from kin, when compared with the upwardly mobile or those with high lifetime SES. The level of education was a better indicator of network differences than occupational prestige. It is concluded that obtaining a high SES during life pays off in terms of having more supportive non-kin relationships in old age. The small networks and less supportive non-kin relationships of low-status older adults make them more vulnerable to situations in which kin are unavailable or less willing to provide support. This study underscores the distinction between types of support and types of relationships in the SES–network association. Further research on the social pathways of socio-economic inequality in health and wellbeing should take these distinctions into account.


Author(s):  
David van Bodegom ◽  
Linda May ◽  
Maris Kuningas ◽  
Ralf Kaptijn ◽  
Fleur Thomése ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmy van den Heuvel ◽  
Jane L. Murphy ◽  
Katherine M. Appleton

AbstractEggs tend to be eaten irregularly, e.g. they are often eaten as a standby for unplanned meals, and have been reported to be eaten as a treat or on special occasions. This intrapersonal variation may impact the accuracy of measuring the habitual intake of eggs. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are often validated for nutrients but not foods, and may not be suitable for measuring the consumption of individual foods. The validity of measuring the consumption of specific foods can be particularly affected for foods with a greater within-person variation. Moreover, FFQs rarely include a detailed intake measure of eggs, and often do not include eggs in mixed dishes. With epidemiological studies focussing on individual foods to assess associations between foods and diseases, it is important to consider the accuracy of dietary assessment methods in measuring intake of individual foods.In the current study we compare egg intake data from a validated FFQ and egg intake data from an FFQ specifically designed to measure egg intake. Both questionnaires were completed by a sample of 100 community-dwelling healthy older adults, which included 54 females and 46 males, with mean age 70 (SD = 7) years. Both FFQs had a similar layout, but the validated FFQ section on egg intake consisted of three questions on egg intake, while the egg FFQ included 18 preparations of eggs, including mixed dishes.Mean monthly egg consumption for the validated FFQ was 16 (SD = 13) eggs, while the egg FFQ showed an egg intake of 22 (SD = 16) eggs per month, suggesting under- or over-reporting on one or both measures. Although the mean values are noticeably different, validated FFQ egg intake correlates strongly with egg FFQ intake (r = .773, p < .001).National Diet and Nutrition Survey data indicates that British older adults (65 years + ) consume 33 g of eggs/egg dishes per day, the equivalent of 16–17 eggs per month. This means that the validated FFQ egg intake of 16 eggs per month is more similar to the NDNS data. However, FFQs generally tend to overestimate food intake compared to diet records and the validated FFQ is validated for the total nutrient intake, not for individual foods. With only three questions and without including mixed dishes, the validated FFQ may under-estimate intake of eggs, while the egg FFQ may be more comprehensive. More research is needed to explore the most appropriate methods for measuring intakes of foods that are irregularly consumed, such as eggs.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy W Leung ◽  
Eduardo Villamor

AbstractObjectivePublic assistance programmes may increase risk of obesity among adults. The current study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWorks) was associated with obesity, independent of socio-economic status and food insecurity.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 Adult California Health Interview Survey. Outcome measures included BMI and obesity. Distribution of BMI and prevalence of obesity were compared by participation in each programme, using weighted linear and binomial regression models in which BMI or obesity was the outcome, respectively, and programme participation was the predictor.SettingA population survey of various health measures.SubjectsNon-institutionalized adults (n 7741) whose household income was ≤130 % of the federal poverty level.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 27·4 %. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and participation in other programmes, the prevalence of obesity was 30 % higher in SNAP participants (95 % CI 6 %, 59 %; P = 0·01) than in non-participants. This association was more pronounced among men than women. SSI participation was related to an adjusted 50 % higher prevalence of obesity (95 % CI 27 %, 77 %; P < 0·0001) compared with no participation. SNAP and SSI participants also reported higher soda consumption than non-participants of any programme. CalWorks participation was not associated with obesity after multivariable adjustment.ConclusionsParticipation in SNAP or SSI was associated with obesity independent of food insecurity or socio-economic status. The suggestion that these associations may be mediated by dietary quality warrants further investigation among low-income populations.


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