A European food consumption survey method–conclusions and recommendations

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the general outcome and conclusions of a European project (EFCOSUM); to develop a method for a European food consumption survey that delivers internationally comparable data on a set of policy relevant nutritional indicators. Design and methods: The EFCOSUM project was carried out within the framework of the European Health Monitoring Programme by 14 Member States as well as nine other European countries. Activities of the project included plenary sessions, desk research and working group activities, building on existing experience from such projects as DAFNE, EPIC, FLAIR EurofoodsEnfant project, COST Action 99 and others. All participating states took part in one or more working group activities, which were discussed, adapted and finally approved in plenary sessions. Results and conclusions: For a limited number of countries available food consumption data can be made comparable at the food intake level, but not at the nutrient level. To achieve comparability at the food intake level, a considerable amount of work still has to be done. A minimum list of dietary indicators considered to be the most relevant to be collected for the Health information exchange and monitoring system was identified. As the most suitable method to get internationally comparable new data on population means and distributions of actual intake the 24 h recall was selected, to be conducted at least twice. This also allows for the estimation of usual intake by a modelling technique that separates intra-and inter-individual intake. For a number of micronutrients the use of biomarkers is recommended. Aspects of food classification and food composition were discussed thoroughly, as well as statistical and data collection aspects. For the implementation of a pan-European survey the establishment of a European co-ordinating centre is recommended. The standardization of field work work procedures and other aspects of operationalization have been discussed in detail. It is concluded that there is broad European consensus on the most suitable method for a pan-European dietary survey for the purposes of the EU Health Monitoring Programme. It is further concluded that such a pan-European survey is feasible, if the funds are made available.

Dietary assessment in elderly people: experiences gained from studies in the Netherlands

“…For example, 24-h recalls could be useful in studies monitoring intake of populations (Brussaard et al, 2002). In general, it is thought that 24-h recalls show less underreporting than do FFQs (Subar et al, 2003), although the results are not consistent .…”

Evaluation of 2 × 24-h dietary recalls combined with a food-recording booklet, against a 7-day food-record method among schoolchildren

“…The 'European Food Consumption Survey Method' Project (Biró et al, 2002;Brussaard et al, 2002) recommended a repeated 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs) method for harmonized food intake assessment in Europe among adults and older children. Within the 'European Food Consumption and Validation' Project, a trans-European methodology for undertaking representative dietary surveys among children was suggested (Andersen et al, 2011).…”

Design aspects of 24 h recall assessments may affect the estimates of protein and potassium intake in dietary surveys

“…Diet Validity 24 h dietary recall Fieldwork Telephone Nutrition surveys EFCOVAL Standardisation of methods and fieldwork is of crucial importance to compare dietary intake between European countries (1) . The European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL) study (http://www.efcoval.eu) aimed to further develop and validate a European food consumption method using a standardised 24 h dietary recall (24-HDR) -the EPIC-Soft software (2,3) -for assessing dietary intake within and between European countries.…”