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Validation Information: Weighed Food Diary (Pre-school Children)

Davies 1994

Total energy expenditure and energy intake in the pre-school child: a comparison

In a cohort (n81) of healthy children aged 1.5-4.5 years, measurements of energy intake and energy expenditure were compared. Energy intake was calculated following a 4 d weighed record completed by the mother or guardian of the child. Total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly-labelled water technique. Mean energy intake and expenditure in the cohort were 4773 kJ/d and 4928 kJ/d respectively. The mean relative bias between the techniques was 154 kJ/d. In the older children (3.5-4.5 years) the mean relative bias was only 37 kJ/d. At the population level the measurements of energy intake and energy expenditure were extremely close, and the study has provided sufficient confidence in weighed intake methodology for it to be used in a major nationwide study of dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 1.5-4.5 years.

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Validation Information

Author
Davies
Year of Publication
1994

Tool Information

Dietary Exposure Measured
Energy
Tool Type
Weighed Food Diary
Timeframe Tool Measures info
1 Day
Portion Size Measures info
Mothers were given Soehnle Digital Weighing Scales in order to weigh each food item. Any leftovers were reweighed. Small notebooks were also provided to record food and drinks items consumed away from home.
Reporting Method info
Prospective
Format info
Paper
Supplements Measured
Not Reported
Administration Method info
by-proxy: parents or guardian.

Study Information

Study Location
Cambridgeshire, England
Associated Nutrient Database
McCance & Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, 4th edition and supplements
Comparator Validated Against
Doubly Labelled Water

Participants

Sample Size
81
Lifestage
Children, Infants and toddlers
Age of Population

Range: 1.5-4.5 years

Sex
Both
Other Notable Characteristics
N/A

Total number of nutrients validated: 1 info

Not all of the nutrients validated in the validation studies are included in the table below, as statistical data was only selected to be displayed for a number of nutrients, this included:

  • Energy
  • Fat
  • Saturated Fat
  • Mono-unsaturated Fat
  • Poly-unsaturated Fat
  • Carbohydrates
  • Protein
  • Sugar
  • Non‐starch polysaccharides(NSP)
  • Sodium
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Retinol
  • Folate
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Fruit & Vegetables
  • Urinary Nitrogen

To find information on the other validated nutrients please read the validation study.

  • Energy
  • Macronutrients: 0
  • Micronutrients: 0
Comparator Lifestage Sex Nutrient Measured info Mean Difference Standard Deviation info Correlation Coefficient info Cohen's Kappa Coefficient Percentage Agreement Percentage Agreement Categories info Lower Limits of Agreement Upper Limits of Agreement
Doubly Labelled Water Children, Infants and toddlers Both Energy (kcal) -37 238 0.41 (NR) -513 439
Energy (kJ) -154 996 0.41 (NR) -2145 1837

Some results have been calculated using statistical techniques based on the published data.

For further information on statistical terms click on Statistical tests used in validation studies

All correlations coefficients in the table are unadjusted unless stated otherwise. For adjusted correlation coefficients and other statistical methods used in the study e.g. paired t-tests, please read the validation articles.

  • # Adjusted
  • † Energy adjusted.
  • ‡ For loge-transformed, energy-adjusted nutrient intakes.
  • ^ Adjacent included.
  • ᵟ Participants provided identical responses.
  • (w) = Weighted.

Davies PS, Coward WA, Gregory J, White A, Mills A. Total energy expenditure and energy intake in the pre-school child: a comparison. British Journal of Nutrition. 1994 Jul 1;72(01):13-20.