Validation of dietary assessment methods in the UK arm of EPIC using weighed records, and 24-hour urinary nitrogen and potassium and serum vitamin C and carotenoids as biomarkers

Int J Epidemiol. 1997:26 Suppl 1:S137-51. doi: 10.1093/ije/26.suppl_1.s137.

Abstract

Background: In the UK EPIC validation studies, the accuracy of several methods was assessed by comparison with to-day weighed records and the biomarkers, 24-hour urine nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), plasma carotenoids and plasma vitamin C.

Methods: Comparisons between methods were made on 156 women, studied over 1 year at 3-monthly intervals at home. On each of four occasions, volunteers completed 4 days of weighed records and provided two 24-hour urine collections and a fasting blood sample.

Results: In comparison with the 16 days of weighed records, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) yielded higher values mainly due to greater reported consumption of milk and of vegetables. A 24-hour recall was as good as the FFQ in placing individuals in the distribution of habitual diet from weighed records. Results obtained from a 7-day estimated record were closest to those obtained from the weighed record. Correlations between 24-hour urine excretion and dietary N intake from weighed records were high (0.78-0.87) as were those with estimated food diaries (0.60-0.70). Correlations between urine N and the FFQ and 24-hour recall were lower (0.10 to 0.27), but improved by energy adjustment using residuals for N and K which are correlated with total energy intake. Comparisons between dietary estimates and urinary K and serum carotenoids and vitamin C showed broadly similar results. Limited biomarker information amongst 200 UK EPIC participants supported the findings of the validation study.

Conclusions: UK EPIC uses three methods (the 7-day diary, an improved FFQ, and the 24-hour recall) to assess diet. 93% of first food diaries are returned completed by participants. Repeated diaries are the main dietary assessment method for nested case-control analyses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood*
  • Biomarkers
  • Carotenoids / blood*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diet Surveys*
  • Diet*
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Recall
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrogen / urine*
  • Potassium / blood*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Carotenoids
  • Nitrogen
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Potassium