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Validation Information: Semi-weighed Food Diary

Holmes 2008

A comparison of four dietary assessment methods in materially deprived households in England

Objectives: Low-income households in the UK concentrate factors associated with poor record-keeping such as lower literacy, numeracy and English language skills. The present study aimed to (1) compare the validity and acceptability of three dietary survey methods against appropriate reference measures and (2) identify a method which was both valid and acceptable in low-income households.

Design: Cross-sectional design comparing three 4-day dietary survey methods (multiple-pass 24-hour recall, food checklist and semi-weighed method) against a 4-day weighed inventory and other reference measures within subjects.

Setting: London, UK, 2001.

Subjects: Low-income households were selected using a doorstep screening questionnaire in 18 of the 60 most deprived neighbourhoods in London. Results are based on 384 respondents (159 males, 225 females) aged 2-90 years in 240 households. Respondents were mainly White (48%), Black or Black British (31%) or Asian or Asian British (9%).

Results: The dietary survey method preferred by interviewers was the 24-hour recall. Most respondents preferred the food checklist. Compared with the weighed inventory, repeat 24-hour recalls and the food checklist yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. The semi-weighed method was least liked and yielded the lowest estimates of intake.

Conclusions: Based partly on evidence presented here and partly on evidence to be presented in later publications, four multiple-pass 24-hour recalls were recommended as the most appropriate method for a national study of diet and nutrition in low-income households in the UK.

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Validation Information

Author
Holmes
Year of Publication
2008

Tool Information

Dietary Exposure Measured
Full Nutrient, Food Groups
Tool Type
Weighed Food Diary
Timeframe Tool Measures info
1 Day
Portion Size Measures info
The total amount of all food consumed at home was weighed.Distribution of food to household members was described in household measures. Interviewers weighed commonly consumed foods, e.g. sugar and oil, at the start and end of the recording period. The two main respondents in each household also recorded everything eaten and drunk while out of the home in household measures or from weights on labels.
Reporting Method info
Prospective
Format info
Paper
Supplements Measured
Excluded
Administration Method info
Self-administered and by-proxy: parents/carer for 0-12 year olds. Interviewers reviewed the tool by probing/searching for any missing items.

Study Information

Study Location
London, England
Associated Nutrient Database
Integrated Dietary Analysis (IDA) software, version 2.03 (IDA Publications Ltd, 1997). Based on McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 5th edition and supplements.
Comparator Validated Against
Weighed Food Diary

Participants

Sample Size
21 (Male, Children), 19 (Male, Adolescents), 38 (Male, Adults), 19 (Male, Adults), 23 (Female, Children), 11 (Female, Adolescents), 73 (Female, Adults), 15 (Female, Adults)
Lifestage
Children, Adolescents, Adults, Elderly
Age of Population

Range: 2-90 years

Mean(SD): 6(2.6) years (Male); 6.7(2.7) years (Female)

Sex
Male Only, Female Only
Other Notable Characteristics
Low Income Population

Total number of nutrients validated: 11 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: 4
  • Micronutrients: 6
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
Weighed Food Diary Children Male Only Energy (kcal) -172 411 -994 650
Protein (g) -2 19 -40 35
Fat (g) -8 24 -57 41
Carbohydrates (g) -25 44 -113 64
Calcium (mg) -77 293 -663 509
Iron (mg) -1.1 2.9 -6.9 4.7
Folic Acid (µg) -12 63 -138 114
Vitamin C (mg) 6 40 -74 86
Weighed Food Diary Adolescents Male Only Energy (kcal) 1 630 -1259 1261
Protein (g) -6 29 -64 53
Fat (g) 3 30 -58 64
Carbohydrates (g) 4 94 -185 192
Calcium (mg) 48 291 -534 630
Iron (mg) -1.2 4.2 -9.6 7.2
Folic Acid (µg) -25 142 -309 259
Vitamin C (mg) -7 70 -147 133
Weighed Food Diary Adults Male Only Energy (kcal) -11 606 -1223 1201
Protein (g) -0.3 27 -55 54
Fat (g) 6 27 -49 60
Carbohydrates (g) -20 96 -211 172
Calcium (mg) -85 341 -767 597
Iron (mg) -0.9 4.7 -10.3 8.5
Folic Acid (µg) -23 237 -497 451
Vitamin C (mg) -7 81 -169 155
Weighed Food Diary Elderly Male Only Energy (kcal) 19 341 -663 701
Protein (g) -2 28 -57 53
Fat (g) 8 16 -24 41
Carbohydrates (g) -5 39 -83 74
Calcium (mg) 95 229 -363 553
Iron (mg) 0.4 3.3 -6.2 7
Folic Acid (µg) 14 77 -140 168
Vitamin C (mg) -18 33 -84 48
Weighed Food Diary Children Female Only Energy (kcal) -25 500 -1025 975
Protein (g) 3 17 -30 37
Fat (g) 2 22 -42 47
Carbohydrates (g) -16 72 -160 129
Calcium (mg) 38 238 -438 514
Iron (mg) -0.5 2.7 -5.9 4.9
Folic Acid (µg) -2 69 -140 136
Vitamin C (mg) 7 69 -131 145
Weighed Food Diary Adolescents Female Only Energy (kcal) -69 413 -895 757
Protein (g) 4 29 -53 61
Fat (g) -1 18 -37 36
Carbohydrates (g) -20 56 -131 91
Calcium (mg) 43 276 -509 595
Iron (mg) 0.7 2.7 -4.7 6.1
Folic Acid (µg) -2 53 -108 104
Vitamin C (mg) -31 36 -103 41
Weighed Food Diary Adults Female Only Energy (kcal) -166 482 -1130 798
Protein (g) -4 23 -49 41
Fat (g) -2 25 -51 47
Carbohydrates (g) -35 75 -184 114
Calcium (mg) -69 264 -597 459
Iron (mg) -1.1 3.5 -8.1 5.9
Folic Acid (µg) -21 85 -191 149
Vitamin C (mg) -2 63 -128 124
Weighed Food Diary Elderly Female Only Energy (kcal) -56 232 -520 408
Protein (g) -4 35 -75 67
Fat (g) -2 13 -28 24
Carbohydrates (g) -1 48 -96 94
Calcium (mg) 29 166 -303 361
Iron (mg) -0.5 2.8 -6.1 5.1
Folic Acid (µg) -18 49 -116 80
Vitamin C (mg) 1 20 -39 41

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.

Holmes B, Dick K, Nelson M. A comparison of four dietary assessment methods in materially deprived households in England. Public health nutrition. 2008 May 1;11(05):444-56.