Comparison of two food record-based dietary assessment methods for a pan-European food consumption survey among infants, toddlers, and children using data quality indicators

Heinz Freisling, Marga C. Ocké, Corinne Casagrande, Geneviève Nicolas, Sandra P. Crispim, Maryse Niekerk, Jan van der Laan, Evelien de Boer, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Mieke de Maeyer, Jiri Ruprich, Marcela Dofková, Inge Huybrechts, Ellen Trolle, Nadia Slimani

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose We aimed (1) to describe and evaluate the "EPIC-Soft DataEntry" application developed as a user-friendly data entry tool for pan-European and national food consumption surveys among infants and children, and (2) to compare two food record-based dietary assessment methods in terms of food description and quantification using data quality indicators. EPIC-Soft DataEntry was used for both methods. Methods Two pilot studies were performed in both Belgium and Czech Republic in a total of 376 children (3 months to 10 year olds): one using a consecutive 3-day food diary; and the second with two non-consecutive 1-day food diaries with data entry during a completion interview. The collected dietary data were compared between the two dietary assessment methods by country and by age groups: (i) <1 year; (ii) 1-3 years; (iii) >3-10 years. Results Overall, 70 % of the interviewers evaluated the work with EPIC-Soft DataEntry as easy. With both dietary assessment methods, an equally high proportion of specific food names (e.g., "yoghurt, strawberry") were reported, where only between 5 and 15 % of foods were non-specified (e.g., "yoghurt, n.s."). The two 1-day food diaries yielded a higher proportion of foods with detailed description. For example, in the age category of 1-3 year olds in Belgium, for 7 out of 16 systematic questions on food description (e.g., "preservation method,") specific answers were significantly higher (all P < 0.03). The proportion of missing quantities of consumed foods was comparable between the two methods. Conclusions The EPIC-Soft DataEntry application was positively evaluated by the majority of the interviewers. Two non-consecutive 1-day food diaries with data entry during a completion interview provide a more detailed description of consumed foods as compared with a 3-day food diary. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition
Volume54
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)437-445
Number of pages9
ISSN1436-6207
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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