Reproducibility and feasibility of an online self-administered food frequency questionnaire for use among adult Norwegians

Background: New methods of dietary assessment are increasingly making use of online technologies. The development of a new online food frequency questionnaire warranted investigation of its feasibility and the reproducibility of its results. Objective: To investigate the feasibility and reproducibility of a newly developed online FFQ (WebFFQ). Design: The semiquantitative WebFFQ was designed to assess the habitual diet the previous year, with questions about frequency of intake and portion sizes. Estimations of portion sizes include both pictures and household measures, depending on the type of food in question. In two independent cross-sectional studies conducted in 2015 and 2016, adults were recruited by post following random selection from the general population. In the first study, participants (n = 229) filled in the WebFFQ and answered questions about its feasibility, and in two subsequent focus group meetings, participants (n = 9) discussed and gave feedback about the feasibility of the WebFFQ. In the second study, the WebFFQ’s reproducibility was assessed by asking participants (n = 164) to fill it in on two separate occasions, 12 weeks apart. Moreover, in the second study, participants were offered personal dietary feedback, a monetary gift certificate, or both, as incentives to complete the study. Results: In the feasibility study, evaluation form results showed that participants raised issues regarding the estimation of portion size and the intake of seasonal foods as being particularly challenging; furthermore, in the focus group discussions, personal feedback on diet was perceived to be a more motivating factor than monetary reward. In the reproducibility study, total food intake was lower in the second WebFFQ; however, 63% of the food groups were not significantly different from those in the first WebFFQ. Correlations of food intake ranged from 0.62 to 0.90, >86% of the participants were classified into the same or adjacent quartiles, and misclassification ranged from 0 to 3%. Average energy intake was 3.5% lower (p = 0.001), fiber showed the least difference at 1.6% (p = 0.007), and sugar intake differed the most at −6.8% (borderline significant, p = 0.08). Percentage energy obtained from macronutrients did not differ significantly between the first and second WebFFQs. Conclusion: Our results suggest that at group level, the WebFFQ showed good reproducibility for the estimations of intake of food groups, energy, and nutrients. The feasibility of the WebFFQ is good; however, revisions to further improve portion size estimations should be included in future versions. The WebFFQ is considered suitable for dietary assessments for healthy adults in the Norwegian population.

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Development of a dedicated repertoire and food frequency questionnaire for estimating dietary fiber intake taking into account prebiotic (oligo)saccharides

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120003705 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Audrey M. Neyrinck ◽

Julie-Anne Nazare ◽

Monique Sothier ◽

Laurie Vandenberghe ◽

Camille Amadieu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Dietary Fiber ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Portion Size ◽

Published Data ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Cereal Products ◽

Food Composition Tables

AbstractRationaleThe scientific rationale for the recommendation in dietary fiber (DF) intake comes from the recognition of their health benefits. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommend 25 g/d, based on the amount needed for intestinal laxation. Gut microbiota related health benefits are not yet included in the current dietary recommendations. Appropriate (and consensual) quantitative and qualitative analysis of DF are missing in food composition tables. One of the aim of the FiberTAG(1) project was to develop a dedicated database and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) allowing DF intake estimation including prebiotic (oligo)saccharides.MethodsA repertoire of DF detailing total, soluble and insoluble DF in food products consumed in Europe has been established based on the Souci-Fachmann-Kraut database, completed for soluble versus insoluble DF () and for prebiotic (oligo)saccharide levels using published data. The FiberTAG FFQ was submitted to healthy volunteers (7 men, 8 women; mean age: 21 yrs; mean BMI: 22kg/m2) and DF intakes were calculated using the new FiberTAG repertoire.ResultsThe FiberTAG repertoire detailed DF in 400 food items allocated into 4 categories (fruits, vegetables, cereal products and others) and 15 subcategories. The fiberTAG FFQ consists in 280 items regrouped in 4 high DF-containing food groups (vegetables including legumes, fruits including nuts and seed, cereal products and others) using frequency scale (6 categories), photographs for portion size and taking into account the seasonal occurrence for some vegetables or fruits. Data obtained from FiberTAG FFQ indicate a total DF intake of 36.44 g/d. This reveals a higher DF intake compared to previously reported intake for adults in Europe ranging from 16 to 24 g/d based on 24 h-recall or 3–7 days records(2). This difference might be explained by a more adequate inclusion of fruits and vegetables intake in FFQ than with other methods, as previously reported(3). Our data also showed that fructan, inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides intakes were 4.18, 2.95 and 1.00 g/day, respectively whereas galacto-oligosaccharides intake was 0.28 g/d.ConclusionThe new FiberTAG DF repertoire and FFQ are tools to evaluate the total amount of DF including prebiotic (oligo)saccharides ingested by healthy volunteers. The FiberTAG project generates scientific knowledge that helps to take into account microbiota-nutrient interactions to establish DF intake recommendations as part of healthy lifestyles.

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Separate estimates of portion size were not essential for energy and nutrient estimation: results from the Southern Community Cohort food-frequency questionnaire pilot study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007258574 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 245-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

David G Schlundt ◽

Maciej S Buchowski ◽

Margaret K Hargreaves ◽

Jean H Hankin ◽

Lisa B Signorello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Portion Size ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Prospective Epidemiological Study ◽

Daily Intakes ◽

Pearson Correlations ◽

Size Estimates

AbstractObjectiveA food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to assess habitual dietary intake in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), a prospective epidemiological study to analyse disparities in cancer and other chronic diseases between African-Americans and Whites.DesignFrequency and portion size estimates were obtained for each of 104 foods. Daily intakes of 13 food groups, energy and 18 nutrients were computed. Each participant's rank and quintile classification of nutrient intakes was determined with and without the use of the subject's reported portion size.SubjectsThe sample was obtained from the SCCS pilot study conducted in Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida, and consisted of 209 adults, 54% African-American, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 57.1 (12.5) years.ResultsCorrelations between the ranks from the two methods of estimation were high, ranging from 0.66 to 0.94 for food groups and 0.81 to 0.94 for nutrients. Pearson correlations were similarly high for food groups and nutrients. Concordance in exact quintile rank across the nutrient indices ranged from 52 to 70%, rising to 90–99% for concordance within adjacent quintiles.ConclusionsTo reduce the respondents' burden and to increase data completeness, the assignment of a uniform portion size when scoring the SCCS FFQ was considered acceptable.

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Validation of the second version of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for use in Western Mali

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2002357 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 769-781 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Christine L Parr ◽

Ingrid Barikmo ◽

Liv E Torheim ◽

Fatimata Ouattara ◽

Assitan Kaloga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Portion Size ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Total Food ◽

Median Proportion ◽

Weighed Record

AbstractObjective:To assess the relative validity of the second version of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (QFFQ), designed to measure the habitual food and nutrient intake in one season in rural populations in Western Mali, West Africa.Design:The dietary intake during the previous week was assessed with the 164-item QFFQ administered by interview. This was compared with the intake from a 2-day weighed record (WR) with weighed recipes.Setting:The village of Ouassala in the Kayes region, Western Mali.Subjects:Thirty-four women and 36 men aged 15–45 years, from 29 households.Results:The QFFQ gave a lower intake of lunch and dinner and a higher intake of snacks than the WR. The discrepancies were larger for women than for men. The median proportion of subjects classified in the same quartile of intake was 29% for food groups and 36% for energy and nutrients. For classification into extreme opposite quartiles, the median proportion was 6% for food groups and 7% for energy and nutrients. Spearman's rank correlation for energy and nutrients ranged from 0.16 (% energy from protein) to 0.62 (retinol equivalents).Conclusions:The second version of the QFFQ tends to underestimate total food weight. The methods used for estimating food portion size should therefore be applied with caution. The changes made from the first version had little effect. The ability to rank subjects according to dietary intake is similar with both versions. The improved layout of the new QFFQ makes it a more user-friendly tool for comparing dietary intake between population groups and for measuring changes over time.

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Validation of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for use in Western Mali

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1079/phn2001181 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1267-1277 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Liv E Torheim ◽

Ingrid Barikmo ◽

Anne Hatløy ◽

Moro Diakité ◽

Kari Solvoll ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Diet Records ◽

Median Correlation ◽

Study Population ◽

Diet Record

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to validate a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) created for assessing the usual intake of foods and nutrients in the prevailing season in Western Mali.Design:Intake of foods and nutrients over the week preceding the interview was measured with a 69-item QFFQ. Intakes were compared with intakes as measured with 2-day combined weighed and recalled diet records.Setting:A rural village in Western Mali, West Africa.Subjects:Twenty-seven men and 48 women (15–59 years of age) representing 18 households.Results:Spearman rank correlations between intake of food groups from the QFFQ and the diet record ranged from 0.09 (meat/fish) to 0.58 (tea/coffee). Median coefficient was 0.37. Median Spearman correlation coefficient for nutrient intake was 0.40. Men had higher median correlation coefficients than did women. The proportion of subjects being classified into the same quartile of food intake was on median 33%, while a median of 7% was misclassified into extreme quartiles. Correct classification into the same quartile for intake of nutrients was on median 34% while a median of 4% was grossly misclassified. Intakes of most food groups and nutrients as measured by the QFFQ were higher than those measured by the diet records. However, while men had higher estimated intakes for foods eaten in-between meals, women in general had higher intake of foods eaten in the main meals.Conclusion:This QFFQ can be used for comparing the intake of foods and nutrients between groups within this study population. It therefore represents a useful tool in the surveillance of food intake in the population, both in identifying vulnerable groups and for tracking food intake over time. The differences between men and women in overestimating food intake need to be taken into account when using the method.

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Dietary Intake in the Lifelines Cohort Study: Baseline Results from the Flower Food Frequency Questionnaire among 59,982 Participants

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

A. Mireille Baart ◽

Elske M. Brouwer-Brolsma ◽

Corine W. M. Perenboom ◽

Jeanne H. M. de Vries ◽

Edith J. M. Feskens

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Macronutrient Intake ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

General Dutch Population ◽

Study Participants

The role of nutrition in health and disease is well established. However, more research on this topic is needed to fill gaps in our current knowledge. The Lifelines cohort study, a large Dutch prospective cohort study, was established as a resource for international researchers, aiming to obtain insight into the aetiology of healthy ageing. The study started with 167,729 participants, covering three generations, aiming to follow them for thirty years. This article describes the habitual dietary intake, assessed using the Flower Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), among Lifelines cohort study participants at baseline, stratified by sex and different categories of age, socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI). A total of 59,982 adults (23,703 men and 36,279 women), who completed the Flower FFQ and reported plausible habitual dietary intake, were included in the analyses. Median daily energy intake was higher in men (2368 kcal) than in women (1848 kcal), as well as macronutrient intake. Energy and macronutrient intake decreased with increasing age and BMI categories; no differences were observed between SES categories. Intake of most micronutrients was higher in men than in women. Differences were observed between age categories, but not between SES and BMI categories. Food groups were consumed in different amounts by men and women; differences between age, SES and BMI categories were observed as well. The Lifelines cohort study provides extensive dietary intake data, which are generalisable to the general Dutch population. As such, highly valuable dietary intake data are available to study associations between dietary intake and the development of chronic diseases and healthy aging.

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Development of a repertoire and a food frequency questionnaire for estimating dietary fiber intake considering prebiotics: input from the FiberTAG project

10.21203/rs.3.rs-31912/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Audrey M Neyrinck ◽

Julie-Anne Nazare ◽

Julie Rodriguez ◽

Romain Jottard ◽

Sarah Dib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Fiber ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Portion Size ◽

Published Data ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Cereal Products ◽

Dietary Fiber Intake ◽

Size Evaluation

Abstract BackgroundTo develop a dedicated database and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) allowing detailed dietary fiber (DF) intake estimation including prebiotic (oligo)saccharides.MethodsA repertoire of DF detailing total, soluble DF, insoluble DF and prebiotic (oligo)saccharides (inulin-type fructans, fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides) in food products consumed in Europe has been established on basis of the German and Canadian databases and published data. A 12-month FFQ was developed and submitted to 15 healthy volunteers (mean age: 21 yrs; mean BMI: 22 kg/m2) from the FiberTAG study (https://www.fibertag.eu/).ResultsThe FiberTAG repertoire details DF and prebiotic (oligo)saccharides in 283 food items allocated into 4 categories and 15 subcategories. The FiberTAG FFQ consists in 302 items regrouped in 4 high DF-containing food groups (vegetables including legumes, fruits including nuts and seed, cereal products and others), proposes intake frequency scales, photographs for portion size evaluation and considers the seasonal occurrence for vegetables or fruits. Our data in the tested population report a total DF intake of 38 g/d (1/3 of soluble and 2/3 of insoluble DF). Fructan and fructo-oligosaccharides intake, linked notably to condiments (garlic and onions) ingestion, reached 5 and 2 g/d, respectively, galacto-oligosaccharides intake level being lower (1 g/d).ConclusionsThe FiberTAG repertoire and FFQ are major tools for the evaluation of the total amount of DF including prebiotics. Their use can be helpful in intervention or observational studies devoted to analyze microbiota-nutrient interactions in different pathological contexts, as well as to revisit DF intake recommendations as part of healthy lifestyles considering specific DF.Trial registrationNCT03494491(clinicaltrials.gov)

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Portion Sizes from 24-Hour Dietary Recalls Differed by Sex among Those Who Selected the Same Portion Size Category on a Food Frequency Questionnaire

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2018.02.014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 118 (9) ◽

pp. 1711-1718 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Minji Kang ◽

Song-Yi Park ◽

Carol J. Boushey ◽

Lynne R. Wilkens ◽

Kristine R. Monroe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Portion Size ◽

Size Category ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Portion Sizes

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Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for Japanese athletes (FFQJA)

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s12970-021-00433-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata ◽

Kaori Okamoto ◽

Motoko Taguchi

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Kappa Statistic ◽

Portion Size ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Kappa Index ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Supplement Use ◽

Food Items ◽

Dietary Records

Abstract Background Food frequency questionnaires are considered an effective method for assessing habitual dietary intake, but they must be developed or validated with the target population. Portion size, supplement use and food choice are thought to be especially important methodological considerations for assessing athletes’ dietary intake. This study aimed to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire for Japanese athletes using data from this population. Methods We used dietary records from 440 Japanese athletes involved in our previous projects. Food items were analyzed using cumulative percentage contributions and multiple regression analysis, to give a selection of 62 basic food items and four supplemental items. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated among another 77 Japanese athletes by comparing nutrient intakes assessed using the questionnaire with dietary records. Reproducibility was evaluated by comparing a second questionnaire completed 2–3 weeks later by 36 of the athletes in the validation study. Validity was assessed using crude Spearman’s correlation coefficients (CCs), energy-adjusted CCs, intraclass CCs (ICCs), and Kappa index values. Reproducibility was assessed by CCs, energy-adjusted CCs, and ICCs. Results In the validation analysis, the median crude CC for all of the nutrients was 0.407, ranging from 0.222 for dietary fiber to 0.550 for carbohydrate. The median energy-adjusted CC was 0.478, and the median ICC was 0.369. When we divided the athletes into quartiles, 65% (vitamin B1) to 86% (iron) of athletes were classified into the same or adjacent categories using the questionnaire and dietary records, with a median Kappa statistic of 0.32. In the reproducibility analysis, the median crude CC between the two completed questionnaires was 0.654, ranging from 0.582 (carbohydrate) to 0.743 (vitamin B2). The median energy-adjusted CC was 0.643, and the median ICC was 0.647. Conclusions The new 62-item food frequency questionnaire is both reliable and valid and may be useful for assessing food intake in Japanese athletes.

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Relative Validity of an Italian EPIC Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Factors in Children and Adolescents. A Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1245

Author(s):

Inge Huybrechts ◽

Rossella Miglio ◽

Lorenza Mistura ◽

Sara Grioni ◽

Irene Pozzebon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Food Groups ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Diary Method ◽

Italian Children ◽

The Impact

Dietary factors play a major role in the development of non-communicable diseases, however little is known regarding the impact of nutrition on rare diseases like sarcomas. This Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute study aimed to evaluate the relative validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to measure the consumption of foods in comparison with a 3-days diary diet in a healthy Italian student population aged between 12 and 17 years. An extended version (including food groups for children) of the semi-quantitative FFQ used in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) was administered. The validity of the FFQ was assessed by comparing the intakes from the FFQ against the 3-day diary method. 254 Italian subjects were included in the analyses: 128 females; 126 males; 116 from High Secondary School (14–17 years); 138 from Low Secondary School (12–13 years). Mean and median intakes are overall higher in the FFQs than in the food diaries. Spearman correlations adjusted for within-person variability were highest for legumes, vegetables and coffee/tea (>0.5), followed by potatoes, meat, fruits, breakfast cereals, biscuits and candies, and milk/yoghurts (>0.4). Moderate correlations were found for alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juices, and grains (>0.3). For some food groups, such as fish, potatoes, and bread, correlations tend to become higher when stratifying the analyses for age group. These results demonstrate that the adapted EPIC COS FFQ validated in Italian adults is also appropriate and well understood by Italian children and adolescents.

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Validation of an interviewer-administered seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for the dietary assessment of preschool children in rural Bangladesh

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2021.19 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Sabuktagin Rahman ◽

Patricia Lee ◽

Santhia Ireen ◽

Moudud ur-Rahman Khan ◽

Faruk Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Food Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Preschool Age Children ◽

Absolute Agreement

Abstract A validation study of an interviewer-administered, seven-day semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (7-d SQFFQ) was conducted in Bangladeshi rural preschool age children. Using a cross-sectional study design, 105 children from 103 households were randomly selected. For the SQFFQ, a list of commonly consumed foods was adapted from the Bangladesh national micronutrient survey 2011–12. The data on the actual number of times and the amount of the children's consumption of the foods in the preceding 1 week were collected by interviewing the mothers. The intake was compared with two non-consecutive days 24-h dietary recalls conducted within 2 weeks after the SQFFQ. Validity was assessed by the standard statistical tests. After adjusting for the energy intake and de-attenuation for within-subject variation, the food groups (cereals, animal source foods, milk and the processed foods) had ‘good’ correlations between the methods (rho 0⋅65–0⋅93; P < 0⋅001). Similarly, the macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fats) had ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅50–0⋅75; P < 0⋅001) and the key micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, etc.) demonstrated ‘good’ correlations (rho 0⋅46–0⋅85; P < 0⋅001). The variation in classifying the two extreme quintiles by the SQFFQ and the 24-h recalls was <10 %. The results from Lin's concordance coefficients showed a ‘moderate’ to ‘excellent’ absolute agreement between the two methods for food groups, and nutrients (0⋅21–0⋅90; P < 0⋅001). This interviewer-administered, 7-d SQFFQ with an open-ended intake frequency demonstrated adequate validity to assess the dietary intake for most nutrients and suitable for dietary assessments of young children in Bangladesh.

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