Biochemical Validation of a Self-Administered Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Diet Using Carotenoids and Vitamins E and D in Male Adolescents in Spain

Abstract

Reliable tools to evaluate diet are needed, particularly in life periods such as adolescence in which a rapid rate of growth and development occurs. We assessed the biochemical validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in a sample of Spanish male adolescents using carotenoids and vitamin E and D data. We analyzed data from 122 male adolescents aged 15–17 years of the INMA-Granada birth cohort study. Adolescents answered a 104-item FFQ and provided a non-fasting blood sample. Mean daily nutrient intakes and serum concentration were estimated for main carotenoids (lutein-zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene), vitamins E and D and also for fruit and vegetable intake. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and the percentage of agreement (same or adjacent quintiles) between serum vitamin concentrations and energy-adjusted intakes were estimated. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were observed for the total carotenoids (r = 0.40) and specific carotenoids, with the highest correlation observed for lutein–zeaxanthin (r = 0.42) and the lowest for β-carotene (0.23). The correlation coefficient between fruit and vegetable intake and serum carotenoids was 0.29 (higher for vegetable intake, r = 0.33 than for fruit intake, r = 0.19). Low correlations were observed for vitamin E and D. The average percentage of agreement for carotenoids was 55.8%, and lower for vitamin E and D (50% and 41%, respectively). The FFQ may be an acceptable tool for dietary assessment among male adolescents in Spain.

Evaluation of Modern Approaches for the Assessment of Dietary Carotenoids as Markers for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

“…Regarding correlations between retrospective dietary assessment methods including FFQs and 24 h dietary recalls, low correlations are reported in the literature. While Morgan et al found no associations between total plasma carotenoids and self-reported fruit and vegetable intake assessed by a 19-item FFQ and web-based 24 h dietary recalls carried out on multiple days [ 29 ], other studies reported positive but weak correlations between self-reported fruits and vegetables dietary intake and total plasma carotenoid data ranging from r = 0.24–0.36 [ 15 , 28 , 30 ]. The current study revealed good correlations between dietary intake data assessed with an ASDR and total carotenoids (r = 0.65), β-carotene (r = 0.71) and α-carotene (r = 0.74) with their corresponding plasma levels while only weak to no correlations were found regarding lutein/zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene.…”

“…Due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, a diet high in carotenoids has been linked to reduce risks for chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, macular degeneration and several types of cancers [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], diseases which are also known to be mediated by F/V consumption. Thus, the precise assessment of dietary carotenoids could play a vital role for the early prevention of such diseases, especially in vulnerable groups [ 15 ]. Assessment of carotenoids is usually carried out by HPLC coupled with UV or mass spectrometric detection.…”

Assessment of Fruit and Vegetables Intake with Biomarkers in Children and Adolescents and Their Level of Validation: A Systematic Review

“…Four studies [41,42] demonstrated that carotenoid concentrations in plasma or serum were significantly correlated with total FV intake. Notario-Barandiaran et al [32] showed that serum carotenoids correlated stronger with vegetable intake (r = 0.33) than fruit intake (r = 0.19) in male adolescents in Spain [32]. Moreover, Nguyen et al [27] showed that total plasma carotenoids were significantly correlated (r = 0.49, p = 0.003) with fruit consumption but not with vegetable intake.…”

Biomarkers of food intake and their relevance to metabolic syndrome

“…105 This variability is surely a limitation for employing carotenoids as biomarkers of their intake for the individual. 106,107 Nevertheless, their plasma levels have been proposed as a suitable marker for overall fruit and vegetable intake with a mean correlation of r = 0.40, 108,109 especially as their occurrence in grains, except for corn (up to 800 μg per 100 mg lutein/zeaxanthin) is rather low. 110 Among carotenoids, intake of beta-carotene is highest in most countries, followed by lycopene and lutein.…”