Validity and Reliability of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to Assess Dietary Intake of Preschool Children

As there are few food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to assess the dietary intake of preschool children, this study examined the validity and reliability of an FFQ for this purpose. A total of 210 preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years participated in the validation study, while a subsample of 66 participants joined the reliability study. The FFQ is modified from the ToyBox-study and South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS), and comprised 108 food items from 13 food groups. A three-day estimated dietary record (3DR) was used as reference and reliability was assessed through a second administration of the FFQ (FFQ2), four weeks after the first administration (FFQ1). For the validation study, Spearman’s correlation coefficients showed moderate to high correlations (p < 0.001) between FFQ and 3DR. Cross-classification of quartile analysis showed moderate agreement between the two methods. As for reliability, Spearman’s correlation coefficients showed moderate to high correlations (p < 0.001) between FFQ1 and FFQ2. Cronbach’s alpha values (0.708 to 0.824) and intraclass correlation coefficients (0.710 to 0.826) showed good agreement between repeated FFQs. The results suggest that the FFQ has acceptable validity and good reliability. Hence, the FFQ can be used to assess preschool children’s food intake.

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Development and Relative Validity of a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Dietary Intake among a Multi-Ethnic Population in the Malaysian Cohort Project

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041163 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1163

Author(s):

Suzana Shahar ◽

Mohd Razif Shahril ◽

Noraidatulakma Abdullah ◽

Boekhtiar Borhanuddin ◽

Mohd Arman Kamaruddin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Weighted Kappa ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Spearman’S Correlation

Measuring dietary intakes in a multi-ethnic and multicultural setting, such as Malaysia, remains a challenge due to its diversity. This study aims to develop and evaluate the relative validity of an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in assessing the habitual dietary exposure of The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) participants. We developed a nutrient database (with 203 items) based on various food consumption tables, and 803 participants were involved in this study. The output of the FFQ was then validated against three-day 24-h dietary recalls (n = 64). We assessed the relative validity and its agreement using various methods, such as Spearman’s correlation, weighed Kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland–Altman analysis. Spearman’s correlation coefficient ranged from 0.24 (vitamin C) to 0.46 (carbohydrate), and almost all nutrients had correlation coefficients above 0.3, except for vitamin C and sodium. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from −0.01 (calcium) to 0.59 (carbohydrates), and weighted Kappa exceeded 0.4 for 50% of nutrients. In short, TMC’s FFQ appears to have good relative validity for the assessment of nutrient intake among its participants, as compared to the three-day 24-h dietary recalls. However, estimates for iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C should be interpreted with caution.

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Reproducibility and relative validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for the Chinese lactating mothers

Nutrition Journal ◽

10.1186/s12937-021-00678-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ye Ding ◽

Fang Li ◽

Ping Hu ◽

Mei Ye ◽

Fangping Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Lactating Mothers ◽

Dietary Record ◽

Spearman’S Correlation

Abstract Background The dietary nutritional status of the lactating mothers is related to maternal health and has a significant impact on the growth and development of infants through the secretion of breast milk. The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is the most cost-effective dietary assessment method that can help obtain information on the usual dietary pattern of participants. Until now, the FFQs have been used for different populations in China, but there are few FFQs available for the lactating mothers. We aimed to develop a semi-quantitative, 156-item FFQ for the Chinese lactating mothers, and evaluate its reproducibility and relative validity. Methods A total of 112 lactating mothers completed two FFQs and one 3-d dietary record (3DR). The first FFQ (FFQ1) was conducted during postpartum at 60–65 days and the second FFQ (FFQ2) during subsequent follow-up at 5 weeks. The 3DR was completed with portion sizes assessed using photographs taken by the respondent before and after eating (instant photography) 1 week after FFQ1. Results For reproducibility, the Spearman’s correlation coefficients for food ranged from 0.34 to 0.68, and for nutrients from 0.25 to 0.61. Meanwhile, the intra-class correlation coefficients for food ranged from 0.48 to 0.87, and for nutrients from 0.27 to 0.70. For relative validity, the Spearman’s correlation coefficients for food ranged from 0.32 to 0.56, and for nutrients from 0.23 to 0.72. The energy-adjusted coefficients for food ranged from 0.26 to 0.55, and for nutrients from 0.22 to 0.47. Moreover, the de-attenuation coefficients for food ranged from 0.34 to 0.67, and for nutrients from 0.28 to 0.77. The Bland-Altman plots also showed reasonably acceptable agreement between the two methods. Conclusions This FFQ is a reasonably reproducible and a relative valid tool for assessing dietary intake of the Chinese lactating mothers.

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Identification and Reproducibility of Plasma Metabolomic Biomarkers of Habitual Food Intake in a US Diet Validation Study

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo10100382 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 382

Author(s):

Ying Wang ◽

Rebecca A. Hodge ◽

Victoria L. Stevens ◽

Terryl J. Hartman ◽

Marjorie L. McCullough

Keyword(s):

Validation Study ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Ethnically Diverse ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Food Groups ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Bonferroni Adjustment ◽

Absolute Correlation ◽

Potential Use

Previous metabolomic studies have identified putative blood biomarkers of dietary intake. These biomarkers need to be replicated in other populations and tested for reproducibility over time for the potential use in future epidemiological studies. We conducted a metabolomics analysis among 671 racially/ethnically diverse men and women included in a diet validation study to examine the correlation between >100 food groups/items (101 by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), 105 by 24-h diet recalls (24HRs)) with 1141 metabolites measured in fasting plasma sample replicates, six months apart. Diet–metabolite associations were examined by Pearson’s partial correlation analysis. Biomarker reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). A total of 677 diet–metabolite associations were identified after Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons and restricting absolute correlation coefficients to greater than 0.2 (601 associations using the FFQ and 395 using 24HRs). The median ICCs of the 238 putative biomarkers was 0.56 (interquartile range 0.46–0.68). In this study, with repeated FFQs, 24HRs and plasma metabolic profiles, we identified several potentially novel food biomarkers and replicated others found in our previous study. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on food-based biomarkers and provide important information on biomarker reproducibility which could facilitate their utilization in future nutritional epidemiological studies.

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Comparison of the Diet Photograph Record to Weighed Dietary Record and 24 h Dietary Recall for Estimating Energy and Nutrient Intakes Among Chinese Preschoolers

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.755683 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Yujie Xu ◽

Ruonan Duan ◽

Ping Feng ◽

Wanke Gao ◽

Dong Xing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Southwest China ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Nutrient Intakes ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Dietary Record ◽

The Mean ◽

Mean Differences

This study aimed to assess the relative validity of the diet photograph record (DP) for measuring the energy and nutrient intakes against the weighed dietary record (WD) and the 24 h dietary recall (HR) in the Chinese preschoolers. In this study, 40 preschool children aged 4–6 years and their parents were recruited from a kindergarten in southwest China. Dietary intake of the preschoolers on a same day, as estimated by the DP and the HR were compared with the WD. These three methods were administered by the three group of investigators independently. The mean differences, correlation coefficients, cross-classifications, and weighted κ, as well as the Bland–Altman plots were performed to assess the differences and agreements among the estimates from the DP, the HR, and the WD. For the DP and the HR, the estimates of energy and nutrient intakes were moderate to high correlated with the WD, with the higher coefficients ranging from 0.73 to 0.94 for the DP. Both the methods tended to underestimate the dietary intake, but the differences from the known weights using the DP were significantly smaller than those using the HR. The weighed κ values ranking the preschoolers ranged from 0.48 to 0.80 for the DP and ranged from 0.28 to 0.64 for the HR. Furthermore, the Bland–Altman plots indicated a better agreement between the DP and the WD for estimating energy and nutrient intakes. This DP is a valid tool for measuring energy and nutrient intakes among the preschoolers.

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Assessment of Swimming Performance of Preschool Children

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1978.46.3f.1179 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 46 (3_suppl2) ◽

pp. 1179-1182 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sarah J. Erbaugh

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Motor Domain ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Range Of Values

The purpose of this research was to establish the validity and reliability of a swimming scale designed for children, ages 2 to 6 yr. Subjects ( N = 57) were tested on nine categories of tasks. These tasks were selected from the skills traditionally included within the motor domain of swimming; therefore, the scale is assumed to be valid. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to estimate the interjudge objectivity, and within-day, and between-days reliabilities. The range of values for each were: .99 to .98, .99 to .96, and .97 to .84, respectively. As these values are acceptable, the swimming scale seems to be an appropriate instrument for assessing the performance of preschool children.

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Distinct Nutrient Intake Style in Inhabitants of Ultra-High-Altitude Areas in North of Tibet, China: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Newly Developed Tibetan Food Frequency Questionnaires

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.743896 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Zhen Xiao ◽

Xianzhi Sun ◽

Duoji Zhaxi ◽

Fan Zhang ◽

Yuchen Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

High Altitude ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Composition ◽

Food Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Food Composition Tables

Dietary pattern is quite distinct among the inhabitants of high-altitude areas because of environmental and geographical uniqueness; hence, it is important to investigate this data as accurately as possible. However, very few data are related to these populations up to now. Based on the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in the Chinese population, a revised Tibetan edition was developed with respect to the lifestyle in high-altitude areas. After assessment of validity and reproducibility, a nutrition intake survey was conducted among 1,071 randomly sampled Tibetan people. In addition, the Bland–Altman approach was used to compare the agreement between the two dietary tools. For the reproducibility analysis, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine the agreement of food groups and nutrients from the two FFQs (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Nutrient intake was calculated using food composition tables. For the validity analysis, Pearson's correlation of food groups intakes varied from 0.22 to 0.91 (unadjusted). The correlations of nutrients ranged from 0.24 to 0.76 (unadjusted). In the analysis of reliability, the ICC of food groups varied from 0.27 to 0.70 (unadjusted). The ICC of nutrient intakes ranged from 0.22 to 0.87 (unadjusted). The results of nutritional analysis showed that ~25% of foods consumed frequently were traditional Tibetan foods. However, traditional Han foods were frequently consumed. In addition, the energy, iron, and protein intakes for male or female subjects were close to the Chinese Dietary Nutrient Reference Intake (Chinese DRIs); however, fat and sodium intakes were significantly higher than the Chinese DRIs. Interestingly, lower intakes of other types of nutrition, such as vitamin C were detected in people living in high-altitude areas. Our data indicated that excess consumption of fat and sodium and insufficient intake of vitamin C were common among Tibetan people, as compared with the most Chinese people living in the plateau areas. More investigations are needed to reveal the association between the food intake style and high-altitude endemic diseases.

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Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Macro and Micro-Nutrient Intake among a Convenience Cohort of Healthy Adult Qataris

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13062002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2002

Author(s):

Hiba Bawadi ◽

Rand T. Akasheh ◽

Abdelhamid Kerkadi ◽

Salma Haydar ◽

Reema Tayyem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Arabic Language ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Food Groups ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Dietary Analysis ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Diet History Questionnaire

This study aimed at developing a valid culture-sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Qatari adults. A convenient sample of healthy Qataris (n = 107) were recruited from family members of Qatar University students. The Diet History Questionnaire II of the US National Cancer Institute was translated to Arabic language, back-translated to English, pilot tested, and then modified accordingly to be used in Qatari setting. Participants were asked to complete the translated version of the FFQ. This FFQ was then validated against three 24 h diet recall (24 hDR) including a weekend day. Participants were asked to complete the FFQ again after one-month period to measure its repeatability. Dietary data were analyzed using the dietary analysis software ESHA. The validity and reliability of FFQ were assessed by comparing the median intake of nutrients and foods and by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficients. The median nutrient intakes assessed by the second FFQ were higher than that reported in the baseline FFQ1 except for fat. The percentage of increase varies between 1.5% and 96%. Results of the second FFQ indicated an overestimation of intake for most nutrients (macro and micro). Macronutrient intakes assessed by the two FFQ and 24 hDR were strongly correlated. The correlation coefficients for micronutrient intakes between FFQ2 and 24hDR were lower than that of the two FFQs except for calcium (r = 0.55) and sodium (r = 0.643). They ranged from (−0.17) for fluorine to (0.643) for sodium. The agreement rates for classifying macronutrient intakes into same or adjacent quartile were between 79.4% and 100% for the two FFQs and between 71% and 100% for the second FFQ and 24hDR. The reported consumption of food groups estimated by FFQ2 was significantly higher than that reported by FFQ1. In conclusion, the developed FFQ was sufficiently valid to assess energy and macronutrients but not micronutrients. The reliability was adequate for most nutrients.

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Validity and Reliability of a Short Diet Questionnaire to Estimate Dietary Intake in Older Adults in a Subsample of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10101522 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1522 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anne Gilsing ◽

Alexandra Mayhew ◽

Hélène Payette ◽

Bryna Shatenstein ◽

Sharon Kirkpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Groups ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

Test Retest Reliability

This study assessed test-retest reliability and relative validity of the Short Diet Questionnaire (SDQ) and usability of an online 24 h recall among 232 participants (62 years ± 9.1; 49.6% female) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Participants were asked to complete four 24 h dietary recalls (24HRs) using the Automated Self-Administered 24-h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24-Canada-2014), two SDQ administrations (prior to recalls one and four), and the System Usability Scale (SUS) for ASA24. For the SDQ administrations, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ranged from 0.49 to 0.57 for nutrients and 0.35 to 0.72 for food groups. Mean intakes estimated from the SDQ were lower compared than those from the 24HRs. For nutrients, correlation coefficients were highest for fiber, calcium, and vitamin D (45–64 years: 0.59, 0.50, 0.51; >65 years: 0.29, 0.38, 0.49, p < 0.01); Kappas ranged from 0.14 to 0.37 in those 45–64 years and 0.17 to 0.32 in participants >65 years. Among the 70% who completed all recalls independently, the SUS indicated poor usability, though the majority reported feeling confident using ASA24. Overall, the SDQ captures intake with varying test-retest reliability and accuracy by nutrient and age. Further research is needed to inform use of a more comprehensive dietary measure in the CLSA.

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Development and Validation of a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Dietary Intake in 40–65-Year-Old Mexican Women

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000506920 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 73-82

Author(s):

Alexandra Tijerina ◽

Josep A. Tur

Keyword(s):

Pearson Correlation ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Reference Method ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Test Method ◽

Mexican Women ◽

Food Groups ◽

Nutrient Intakes ◽

Food Frequency

Background and Aims: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have been widely used in epidemiologic studies since 1990s, but instruments need to be validated. The aim of this work was to create and assess the validity and reproducibility of an interview administered FFQ to be used in a Mexican women’s bone health cohort study, located in Monterrey city, Mexico. Methods: Validation of FFQ formed by 11 food groups and 136 food and beverage items was performed on 40–65-year-old Mexican women (n = 200) by applying 2 FFQ (test method) and six 24-h dietary recalls (24hR, reference method; 1 per season on weekdays and 2 on weekends). Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated of both logs, transformed intakes and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes based on the residual method, and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: The relative validity of FFQ against the average of six 24hR for intakes of energy, macronutrients, cholesterol, water, vitamins and minerals required for bone metabolism such as vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus were obtained. Pearson coefficients of correlation show significance (p < 0.05) for the validity, 0.244–0.820 and 0.258–0.794, for energy-unadjusted and adjusted data, respectively. Reproducibility coefficients range 0.186–0.810 for energy-unadjusted data and 0.174–0.597 for energy-adjusted data. Most nutrients showed lower than 5% of misclassification. Conclusion: The designed 136-item FFQ shows acceptable validity and reproducibility, and it is useful to be applied on 40–65-year-old Mexican women for the estimation of nutrient intakes in epidemiological studies.

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Relative Validity and Reproducibility of a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2014/976508 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rosana de Moraes Borges Marques ◽

Amanda Cristine de Oliveira ◽

Sheylle Almeida da Silva Teles ◽

Maria Luiza Ferreira Stringuini ◽

Nélida Shimid Fornés ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Relative Validity ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients

Background.Food frequency questionnaires are used to assess dietary intake in epidemiological studies.Objective.The aim of the study was to assess the relative validity and reproducibility of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) for adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Validity was evaluated by comparing the data generated by QFFQs to those of 24-hour recalls (24 hrs). QFFQs were applied twice per patient to assess reproducibility. Statistical analysis included performingt-tests, obtaining Pearson correlation coefficients when necessary, correcting measurements for randomness by the weightedkappamethod, calculating intraclass correlation coefficients, and generating Bland-Altman plots (P<0,05).Results.The total energy and nutrient intake as estimated by the QFFQs were significantly higher than those from 24 hrs. Pearson correlation coefficients for energy-adjusted, deattenuated data ranged from 0.32 (protein) to 0.75 (lipid, unsaturated fat and calcium). Weightedkappavalues ranged from 0.15 (vitamin C) to 0.45 (calcium). Bland-Altman plots indicated acceptable validity. As for reproducibility, intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.24 (calcium) to 0.65 (lipid), and the Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the two questionnaires. Conclusion: The QFFQ presented an acceptable ability to classify correctly and with good reproducibility, adolescents with type 1 diabetes according to their levels of dietary intake.

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