Validation of a semi-quantitative adolescent food frequency questionnaire applied at a public school in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To develop a food frequency questionnaire for adolescents (AFFQ) and demonstrate its relative validity. Design: The final version of the AFFQ was composed of 76 food items previously identified according to their contribution in nutrients and overall importance within the eating habits of this population group. The validation study, which was undertaken during a 6 month period (June to November 1999), was administered to a sample of 79 who answered at least three 24 h dietary recalls (R24 h) applied at intervals of 45 days and one AFFQ at the end of the study. Applying the paired t-test and calculating Pearson correlation coefficients on nutrient data, differences in the mean of nutrients were obtained. Correlation coefficients between the mean energy-adjusted nutrients computed by the two methods were calculated, and correction was made for within-person variability. Agreement was evaluated by distribution of the adolescents according to quartiles of consumption. Locus: A public school within the metropolitan region of São Paulo city. Results: A high variability in the dietary intake of adolescents was observed, with high rates of variability for cholesterol, retinal and vitamin C. The Pearson correlation coefficients, after being adjusted and corrected for variability, ranged from 0.10 to 0.72 among females and from 0.16 and 0.91 among males. The mean correlation coefficient for the entire group was 0.52. Conclusions: These results indicate that the AFFQ provides a potentially reliable scale for categorizing individuals by level of past intake of most nutrients, excluding retinol and iron.

Validity and reproducibility of the FFQ (FFQW82) for dietary assessment in female adolescents

“…Also in comparison with their results, our study found similar energy-adjusted correlation coefficients for macronutrients. With the exception of results by Slater et al (14) , which showed higher correlations for energy (0?86 for females), the correlations were not very high (Table 5). Divergence for sweets/snacks was shown in the present study, with an estimated intake of 664 kJ while the actual intake was 100 kJ for sweets/snacks, which were included in a list of confectioneries and beverages, and the median of the difference was 381 kJ.…”

“…The accurate assessment of nutritional intake is important in epidemiological studies. Although under-reporting of energy intake in young people has been shown (7) , the FFQ is feasible for this purpose (8) , considering the circumstances of young people that prohibit them from weighing foods, such as school attendance, as well as their ability to meticulously record food intake.Thus far, various FFQ have been assessed to determine their validity for use in young people in Western countries (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) . To our knowledge, however, no study has determined the effectiveness of an FFQ in acquiring information on the diets of young people in Japan.…”

“…Thus far, various FFQ have been assessed to determine their validity for use in young people in Western countries (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) . To our knowledge, however, no study has determined the effectiveness of an FFQ in acquiring information on the diets of young people in Japan.…”

Validity and reliability of an FFQ for use with adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“…Results generally show a strong agreement in test-retest for foods (3) and nutrients (4)(5)(6)8) , but often a high variability in the dietary intake of adolescents (5,9) .…”

“…A limited number of validation studies of FFQ for adolescents have been conducted internationally (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) , with a minority in developing countries (9) . Results generally show a strong agreement in test-retest for foods (3) and nutrients (4)(5)(6)8) , but often a high variability in the dietary intake of adolescents (5,9) .…”