Agreement between a brief food frequency questionnaire and diet records using two statistical methods

Bibliographic Data

ID15097633
AuthorsGina L Ambrosini (0000-0003-1001-4265, The University of Western Australia, corresponding author), GL Ambrosini, Nicholas De Klerk (0000-0001-9223-0767, The University of Western Australia), NH de Klerk, A W Musk (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital), AW Musk, Dorothy Mackerras (Menzies School of Health Research)
Year2001
Volume4
Issue2
Pages255-264
Publication date2001-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1079/phn200062
PMID11299099
OpenAlexW2005595237
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited26

Objective To compare intra- and inter-method reliability of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed specifically to measure beta carotene (BC) and retinol intake, using two methods – the limits of agreement (LOA) and the correlation coefficient. Design A cross-sectional study of dietary intake. Setting A randomized trial of vitamin A supplements in 2769 subjects with past asbestos exposure. Subjects Data from 57 men and 26 women, aged 28–72 years, living in Western Australia. Methods The FFQ was administered at baseline (FFQ1) and repeated 1 year later (FFQ2). Four 1-week diet records (DRs) were completed during the year. Results Mean agreement between FFQ2 and FFQ1 was 120% for BC and 98% for retinol. LOA were 47–306% and 21–459%, respectively. Mean agreement between FFQ2 and the DR was 149% for BC and 63% for retinol; LOA were 50–447% and 11–349%, respectively. Mean agreement and LOA varied across energy intakes. Between the DR and FFQ2, correlation coefficients were 0.36 for BC and 0.51 for retinol. These varied considerably across age, gender and energy intakes and were not in accordance with limits of agreement findings. Conclusion Although correlation coefficients were positive and significant, there was less than ideal intra-method and inter-method reliability shown by the limits of agreement method. Bias was uneven across the range of intakes, the LOA were wide and, compared with the DR, the FFQ significantly over-estimated BC and under-estimated retinol. This shows the limitations of calculating correlation coefficients alone, for assessing reliability and validity

Environmental health · Food frequency questionnaire · Statistics · Mathematics · Medicine · Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access