Validation of a self-administered diet history questionnaire using multiple diet records

J Clin Epidemiol. 1990;43(12):1327-35. doi: 10.1016/0895-4356(90)90099-b.

Abstract

The validity of a self-administered diet history questionnaire has been estimated using as the reference data the mean of three 4-day diet records collected over the year prior to the administration of the questionnaire, in 1985-1986. Subjects were women ages 45-70 years, participants in the Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study, a multi-center clinical trial in which some women were randomized to be taught to adopt and maintain a low-fat diet, while others maintained their usual diet. The questionnaire produced group mean nutrient estimates closely approximating the values obtained by three 4-day records, e.g. in the usual-diet group, 37.7% of calories from fat by both food records and by questionnaire, and in the low-fat group, 21.3% of calories from fat by food records and 23.7% of calories from fat by questionnaire. Correlations between questionnaire and diet records for per cent of calories from fat were 0.67 and 0.65 respectively in the two groups; most correlations were in the 0.5-0.6 range, and were similar to those achievable by a single 4-day food record.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diet Records
  • Diet Surveys*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / analysis
  • Energy Intake
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*

Substances

  • Dietary Fats