Validity of a Food Questionnaire for Schoolchildren
Author Information
Author(s): Maria Roumelioti, Michalis Leotsinidis
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
Hypothesis
Is the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) a valid tool for assessing dietary intake in schoolchildren?
Conclusion
The semiquantitative FFQ provides a reasonably reliable measure of dietary intake among schoolchildren.
Supporting Evidence
- The FFQ was validated against 24-hour recall methods.
- A strong correlation was found between children's and parents' responses.
- The study included a diverse sample from urban and rural areas.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special food questionnaire can help us understand what kids eat, and it works pretty well.
Methodology
The study used a semiquantitative FFQ and a 24-hour-recall method to assess dietary intake among 200 schoolchildren and their parents.
Potential Biases
Parents may underestimate or overestimate their children's consumption of certain foods.
Limitations
The study may have limitations related to the accuracy of self-reported dietary intake and potential biases in parental reporting.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 200 schoolchildren aged 10-12 years, with 47% boys and 53% girls, and their parents, mostly mothers aged 28-55 years.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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