Validation Information: FFQ (Italian adults)
Turconi 2010
Reliability and relative validity of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire for use amongst adults in Italian population food-frequency questionnaire for use among adults in Italian population
Our objective was to assess the reliability and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among adult people. In a cross-sectional study carried out in northern Italy, 112 adults were recruited. A total of 189 food and drink items were selected according to those typically consumed by Italians. FFQ reliability was assessed by two repeated administrations at 6 weeks.
The FFQ was validated using four 24-h recalls repeated in the same period of time. For the validation study, classification into quartiles from the two methods and Bland–Altman plot were also performed. The reliability study showed a good correlation between the two methods. Bland–Altman plots showed that the two methods are very likely to agree for individual energy and macronutrient intakes. The reliability and relative validity of this FFQ was good, supporting its use in assessing dietary intakes of Italians in nutritional surveillance programs and in epidemiological dietary surveys.
Total number of nutrients validated: 8
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: 3
- Micronutrients: 5
| Comparator | Lifestage | Sex | Nutrient Measured | Mean Difference | Standard Deviation | Correlation Coefficient | Cohen's Kappa Coefficient | Percentage Agreement | Percentage Agreement Categories | Lower Limits of Agreement | Upper Limits of Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24hr Recall (interview by dietitian) | Adults (20-60 years) | Both | Energy (kcal) | 20 | 120 | 0.93 (P) | -219 | 259 | |||
| Protein (g) | 0.9 | 6 | 0.75 (P) | -10.5 | 12.3 | ||||||
| Fat (g) | 1.1 | 6 | 0.85 (P) | -11 | 13.2 | ||||||
| Carbohydrates (g) | 1.9 | 24 | 0.80 (P) | -46.8 | 50.6 | ||||||
| Calcium (mg) | 13 | 117 | 0.78 (P) | -221.3 | 247.3 | ||||||
| Iron (mg) | 2 | 3 | 0.76 (P) | -3.2 | 7.2 | ||||||
| Zinc (mg) | 1 | 2 | 0.70 (P) | -3.6 | 5.6 | ||||||
| Retinol (µg) | 23 | 85 | 0.78 (P) | -148 | 194 | ||||||
| Vitamin C (mg) | 7 | 12 | 0.74 (P) | -16.4 | 30.4 |
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.
Turconi G, Bazzano R, Roggi C & Hellas C. Reliability and relative validity of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for use amongst adults in Italian population.(2010) International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 1-17