Reproducibility and Validity of a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a 61-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire used in a large prospective study among women. This form was administered twice to 173 participants at an interval of approximately one year (1980-1981), and four one-week diet records for each subject were collected during that period. Intraclass correlation coefficients for nutrient intakes estimated by the one-week diet records (range = 0.41 for total vitamin A without supplements to 0.79 for vitamin B6 with supplements) were similar to those computed from the questionnaire (range = 0.49 for total vitamin A without supplements to 0.71 for sucrose), indicating that these methods were generally comparable with respect to reproducibility. With the exception of sucrose and total carbohydrate, nutrient intakes from the diet records tended to correlate more strongly with those computed from the questionnaire after adjustment for total caloric intake. Correlation coefficients between the mean calorie-adjusted intakes from the four one-week diet records and those from the questionnaire completed after the diet records ranged from 0.36 for vitamin A without supplements to 0.75 for vitamin C with supplements. Overall, 48% of subjects in the lowest quintile of calorie-adjusted intake computed from the diet records were also in the lowest questionnaire quintile, and 74% were in the lowest one of two questionnaire quintiles. Similarly, 49% of those in the highest diet record quintile were also in the highest questionnaire quintile, and 77% were in the highest one or two questionnaire quintiles. These data indicate that a simple self-administered dietary questionnaire can provide useful information about individual nutrient intakes over a one-year period.

American Heart Association's Life Simple 7 and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in a Population Without Known Cardiovascular Disease: The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study

“…Usual dietary intake was determined at baseline using a semiquantitative 66‐item food‐frequency questionnaire administered by trained interviewers to improve accuracy and completeness 23, 24. Frequency and portion size of each food item were multiplied by nutritional content from US Department of Agriculture sources to estimate intake of micro‐ and macronutrients.…”

Combined associations of body weight and lifestyle factors with all cause and cause specific mortality in men and women: prospective cohort study

“…Diet was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire that asked how often, on average, a participant had consumed a particular amount of a specific type of food during the previous year 12. The intake of nutrients was computed by multiplying the frequency of consumption of each unit of food by its nutrient content, and consumption of alcoholic drinks was also considered.…”

Do changes in physical activity lead to dietary changes in middle and old age?

“…SSHIP-I participants completed the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), 29 a widely used paper-and-pencil, semi-quantitative measure that asks participants to estimate how often, on average, they have consumed a variety of foods over the past year (serving sizes provided). The questionnaire includes nine possible responses ranging from "never" to "6ϩ times per day."…”

“…The questionnaire includes nine possible responses ranging from "never" to "6ϩ times per day." Willett et al 29,30 reported correlations between the FFQ and 1-year diet records of 0.44 -0.76, and 1-year test-retest reliability coefficients of 0.54 -0.70. The Willett FFQ composite scores used in this study were total fat (gm), saturated fat (gm), carbohydrates (gm), protein (gm), total calories (kcal), cholesterol (mg), sodium (mg), and dietary fiber (gm).…”