Title of article :
Validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire for assessment of fruit and vegetable intake in Iranian adults*
Author/Authors :
Soleymani, Bahram Assistant Professor - Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Mohammadifard, Noushin Department of Nutrition, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Omidvar, Nasrin Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Houshiarrad, Anahita Department of Nutrition Research - Institute of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Neyestani, Tirang Associate Professor - Laboratory of Nutrition Research - National Research Institute, School of Nutritional Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Naderi, Gholam-Ali Associate Professor - Department of Basic Sciences, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: This study’s aim was to design and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)
for assessment of fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption in adults of Isfahan by comparing the FFQ with dietary reference
method and blood plasma levels of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and retinol.
METHODS: This validation study was performed on 123 healthy adults of Isfahan. FV intake was assessed using a
110-item FFQ. Data collection was performed during two different time periods to control for seasonal effects,
fall/winter (cold season) and spring/summer (warm season). In each phase a FFQ and 1 day recall, and 2 days of food
records as the dietary reference method were completed and plasma vitamin C, beta-carotene and retinol were measured.
Data was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman and intraclass correlations.
RESULTS: Serum Lipids, sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and educational level adjusted Pearson correlation coefficient
of FV with plasma vitamin C, beta-carotene and retinol were 0.55, 0.47 and 0.28 in the cold season (p < 0.05) and
0.52, 0.45 and 0.35 in the warm season (p < 0.001), respectively. Energy and fat intake, sex, age, BMI and educational
level adjusted Pearson correlation coefficient for FV with dietary reference method in the cold and warm seasons were
0.62 and 0.60, respectively (p < 0.001). Intraclass correlation for reproducibility of FFQ in FV was 0.65 (p<0.001).
Keywords :
Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire , Criterion Validity , Reproducibility , Sensitivity , Sensitivity , Specificity , Fruits and Vegetable
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics
