ObjectiveDietary advice is fundamental in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes
(T2DM). Advice is improved by individual assessment but existing methods are
time-consuming and require expertise. We developed a twenty-five-item questionnaire, the
UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire (UKDDQ), for quick assessment of an individual’s
diet. The present study examined the UKDDQ’s repeatability and relative validity
compared with 4 d food diaries.DesignThe UKDDQ was completed twice with a median 3 d gap (interquartile range=1–7 d) between
tests. A 4 d food diary was completed after the second UKDDQ. Diaries were analysed and
food groups were mapped on to the UKDDQ. Absolute agreement between total scores was
examined using intra-class correlation (ICC). Agreement for individual items was tested
with Cohen’s weighted kappa (κ
w).SettingSouth West of England.SubjectsAdults (n 177, 50·3 % women) with, or at high risk for, T2DM; mean age
55·8 (sd 8·6) years, mean BMI 34·4 (sd 7·3) kg/m2;
participants were 91 % White British.ResultsThe UKDDQ showed excellent repeatability (ICC=0·90 (0·82, 0·94)). For individual items,
κ
w ranged from 0·43 (‘savoury pastries’) to 0·87 (‘vegetables’). Total scores
from the UKDDQ and food diaries compared well (ICC=0·54 (0·27, 0·70)). Agreement for
individual items varied and was good for ‘alcohol’ (κ
w=0·71) and ‘breakfast cereals’ (κ
w=0·70), with no agreement for ‘vegetables’ (κ
w=0·08) or ‘savoury pastries’ (κ
w=0·09).ConclusionsThe UKDDQ is a new British dietary questionnaire with excellent repeatability.
Comparisons with food diaries found agreements similar to those for international
dietary questionnaires currently in use. It targets foods and habits important in
diabetes prevention and management.