Validation Information: Food Amount Frequency Questionnaire
Hartwell 2001
Comparison of a self-administered quantitative food amount frequency questionnaire with 4-day estimated food records
Our objective was to assess the relative validity of a self-administered food amount frequency questionnaire (FAQ), using 4-day estimated food records (FRs) as a reference method, for use in a subsequent clinical study of patients undergoing heart surgery. Thirty healthy subjects (19 males, 11 females), aged 45-75 years, were randomly recruited from patient lists generated by two local GP practices in Oxford. Complete data from the FAQ and FR, administered twice 6 months apart, were available for 25 subjects (16 males, 9 females). For absolute nutrient values, intakes of protein, CHO, total fat, PUFA, thiamin, iron, dietary fibre and alcohol were not significantly different between the FAQ and FR, and Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.28 for protein to 0.88 for total fat. Estimates from the FAQ were within ± 10% of the estimates produced by the FR for two-thirds of nutrients. When nutrients were expressed as a percentage of total energy intake, no statistically significant differences were observed for any nutrient between the two methods, and correlations ranged from 0.32 for protein to 0.80 for SFA. In conclusion, the broad dietary patterns obtained by the two methods of assessment were comparable. This simple and inexpensive FAQ can be used to usefully estimate group intakes for a variety of nutrients in the study of patients undergoing heart surgery.
Total number of nutrients validated: 13
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: 8
- Micronutrients: 4
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Food Diary | Adults | Both | Energy (kcal) | 265 | 464 | 0.46 (P) | -663 | 1193 | |||
| Energy (kJ) | 1106 | 1939 | 0.46 (P) | -2772 | 4984 | ||||||
| Protein (g) | 8 | 22 | 0.28 (P) | -36 | 52 | ||||||
| Fat (g) | 5 | 13 | 0.88 (P) | -21 | 31 | ||||||
| Saturated Fat (g) | 5 | 8 | 0.78 (P) | -11 | 21 | ||||||
| MUFA (g) | 3 | 5 | 0.70 (P) | -7 | 13 | ||||||
| PUFA (g) | 1 | 4 | 0.81 (P) | -7 | 9 | ||||||
| Carbohydrates (g) | 22 | 55 | 0.52 (P) | -88 | 132 | ||||||
| Calcium (mg) | 145 | 212 | 0.63 (P) | -279 | 569 | ||||||
| Iron (mg) | 1 | 3 | 0.64 (P) | -5 | 7 | ||||||
| Vitamin C (mg) | 21 | 26 | 0.79 (P) | -31 | 73 |
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.
Hartwell DH. Comparison of a self-administered quantitative food amount frequency questionnaire with 4-day estimated food records. International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2001 Jan 1;52(2):151-9.