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Validity of the EatWellQ8 online food frequency questionnaire against a 4-day weighed food record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2019

B. Al-Awadhi
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, UK
R. Fallaize
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, UK
R.Z. Franco
Affiliation:
Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK, RG6 6AP
F. Hwang
Affiliation:
Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, UK, RG6 6AP
J.A. Lovegrove
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, UK
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Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2019 

The online EatWellQ8 (EWQ8) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed as a web-based tool for the collection of dietary intake for adults living in Kuwait(Reference Franco, Alawadhi and Fallaize1). Further validation against data derived from an independent and established tool is necessary to ensure its accurate assessment in both nutrient and food group intake(Reference Cade, Thompson and Burley2).

The objective of the study was to assess the validity of the EWQ8 FFQ against a 4-day weighed food record (WFR) in adults living in Kuwait. A total of 60 healthy volunteers (67 % female: 33 % male) aged range between 18-65 years were recruited from Kuwait and were asked to complete a 4-day WFR 1-week after the administration of the EWQ8 FFQ, which included 146 food items and food portion size photos. The level of agreement between nutrient and food group intakes estimated by the EWQ8 FFQ and a 4-day WFR were evaluated using t-tests, Bland-Altman methodology and classification into quartiles of daily intake. Crude unadjusted correlation coefficients were also calculated for nutrient and food group intakes.

In total, 46 (63 % female: 37 % male) participants completed the EWQ8 FFQ and the 4-day WFR (mean age 35, SD 8.4 years). Crude unadjusted correlations for the EatWellQ8 FFQ and the 4-day WFR ranged from (0.40-0.88). Mean cross-classification into “exact agreement plus adjacent” was 85 % for nutrient intake and 83 % for food groups. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement for energy-adjusted macronutrient intakes (Fig.1 A–D).

Fig. 1. Bland-Altman plots comparing the EatWellQ8 FFQ to a 4-day weighed food record for (a) energy, (b) total carbohydrate, (c) protein, and (d) total fat. The solid line represents the bias (mean difference) and the dotted lines represent the limits of agreement.  %TE:  % Total Energy

The online EWQ8 FFQ has good agreement with a 4-day WFR for assessing energy and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes. The EWQ8 FFQ is a suitable web-based tool for assessing dietary intake in healthy adults in Kuwait.

References

1.Franco, RZ, Alawadhi, B, Fallaize, R et al. (2017) JMIR human factors 4.Google Scholar
2.Cade, J, Thompson, R, Burley, V et al. (2002) Public Health Nutr 5, 567587.10.1079/PHN2001318Google Scholar
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Bland-Altman plots comparing the EatWellQ8 FFQ to a 4-day weighed food record for (a) energy, (b) total carbohydrate, (c) protein, and (d) total fat. The solid line represents the bias (mean difference) and the dotted lines represent the limits of agreement.  %TE:  % Total Energy