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Development and testing of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for use in Gujarat, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

James R Hebert ,
Prakash C Gupta ,
Ramesh B Bhonsle ,
Pesi N Sinor ,
Hemali Mehta  and
Fali S Mehta
James R Hebert*
Affiliation:
Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
Prakash C Gupta
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Research UnitTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Bombay 400005, India
Ramesh B Bhonsle
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Research UnitTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Bombay 400005, India
Pesi N Sinor
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Research UnitTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Bombay 400005, India
Hemali Mehta
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Research UnitTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Bombay 400005, India
Fali S Mehta
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Research UnitTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Bombay 400005, India
*
*Corresponding author: Email James.Hebert@ummed.edu
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Abstract

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Objective:

To develop and test a quantitative, interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to ascertain nutrient intakes of individuals in northern India.

Design:

A 92-item FFQ was developed based on food use and market surveys of the study area. A validation study was conducted consisting of 24-h diet recalls (24HR) administered on 6 randomly selected days over 1 year. Two FFQs were administered, one each at the beginning and end of the 1-year period. FFQ and 24HR-derived nutrient scores were compared using correlation and regression analyses and by computing differences between nutrient intakes estimated by the two methods.

Setting:

Rural villages in Bhavnagar District, Gujarat, North India.

Subjects:

60 individuals who agreed to provide all necessary data.

Results:

Pearson (parametric) correlation coefficients averaged 0.69 in comparing nutrient scores derived from the 24HR with those from the first FFQ and 0.72 in comparing the second FFQ (P < 0.0001). Spearman correlation coefficients were virtually identical to the Pearson correlations, averaging 0.68 and 0.72, respectively. In regression analyses, most coefficients were close to 1.0 (perfect linear association). Nutrient scores were significantly and consistently higher on both FFQs relative to the 24HR.

Conclusions:

This FFQ produces results broadly comparable, and superior in some respects, to those commonly used in the West. Higher than average measures of association indicate its suitability for comparing exposures within this study population in reference to health-related endpoints.

Keywords

Human nutritionFood frequency questionnaireDietary assessment methodsGujarat, India
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , January 1999 , pp. 39 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 1999

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