Feasibility of repeated 24-h dietary recalls combined with a food-recording booklet, using EPIC-Soft, among preschoolers

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the feasibility among preschoolers of the 2 Â 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs) method combined with a food-recording booklet (FRB), using EPIC-Soft pc-program for the 24-HDR (the software developed to conduct 24-HDRs in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study). Subjects/Methods: A total of 20 and 25 (4-to 5-year-old) children were recruited, as a convenience sample, through worksites or day or healthcare in Denmark and Spain, respectively. One parent (or both parents together) completed two face-to-face 24-HDR, combined with an optional use of a FRB. Feasibility was evaluated by evaluation questionnaires completed by parents and interviewers. Results: The face-to-face interviews were primarily conducted with the mothers. The FRB was used by 90% of the participants, and proxy persons, other than the parent, were also involved; involvement of proxy persons seems necessary in a majority of the recalls in both the countries. Conclusions: The results suggest that 2 Â 24-HDR with one parent combined with a FRB is feasible for registering preschoolers' diet. An FRB and/or information from proxy persons, other than the parent, is needed for a majority of the parents. In future studies, it may be beneficial to develop the FRB more like a structured food record (FR), which might, in principle, change the method to a one-day FR method from more than a 24-HDR method. It is recommended then to further investigate the use of EPIC-Soft as a data-entry tool.

Complementary feeding and the early origins of obesity risk: a study protocol

“…This is complicated because multiple people may be responsible for a child's diet intake in a day. 43 Trolle et al 44 have suggested that using a 24-hour diet recall in combination with a food record book will provide a more accurate estimation of a child's diet intake, compared with using just one method in obtaining the infant's diet intake.…”

Current Trends in Childhood Obesity Research

“…Through formative evaluation (e.g., focus groups with children), several countries developed extensive databases of food items, images, and automated prompts that guide children or their parents in the recall of foods and portion sizes consumed. FIRSSt4 (United States) [11], Web-DASC (Denmark) [12], and EPIC-Soft (trans-Europe) [13,14] each showed promising results in terms of feasibility and usability; however, further testing to establish validity and reliability is needed.…”

The European Food Consumption Validation Project: conclusions and recommendations

“…If the combination of the proposed 'schoolchildren' methods would be feasible among preschoolers as well, similar methods could be applied for children aged between 4 and 14 years. The results from this small study indicated that in combination with the FRB, 24-HDR interviews with a parent or caretaker are feasible to assess the diet of preschoolers (Trolle et al, 2011b). The data do not show whether the face-to-face 24-HDR yields more accurate results compared with a more detailed food record with a face-to-face instruction in filling-in.…”