Comparison of assessment of food intakes by using 3 dietary survey methods

Objective To analyze the difference and correlation of food intakes assessed by Food Weighted Record, 24 Hours Recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) methods. Subjects The data of 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey were used. All 23 198 subjects (male 11 107, female 12 091) finished all three dietary survey methods. Food Weighted Record method weighted all food items consumed at home by all family members in last 3 days; 24 Hours Recall recorded all food items the subjects consumed at and out home in last 3 days; FFQ recorded the main 33 categories food items that the subjects consumed at and out home in last year. Results Compared to Food Weighted Record method, food intakes assessed by 24 hours recall were similar, and the relative differences were less than 10% of most food items. The proportion of over-report and under-report (±25%) by 24 Hours Recall were less than 40%. The correlation coefficients of food intakes between Food Weighted Record and 24 Hours Recall methods ranged from 0. 58 to 0. 88. The results from Food Weighted Record and FFQ were similar among the high frequently consumed food items. The relative differences of the food intakes investigated between Food Weighted Record and FFQ were less than 15% and the proportion of over-report and under-report (±25% ) by FFQ were more than 50%. The correlation coefficients of food intakes between Food Weighted Record and FFQ ranged from 0. 08 to 0. 76. Conclusion Food intakes might be assessed accurately by the Food Weighted Record revised 24 Hours Recall method, and FFQ method be also used to assess the food intakes, especially for the frequently consumed food items, as to studying the relationship between food consumption and health.