Validating a Food Questionnaire for Hispanics
Author Information
Author(s): Gladys Block, Patricia Wakimoto, Christopher Jensen, Shelly Mandel, Robin R. Green
Primary Institution: University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Is the Spanish-language food frequency questionnaire valid for assessing dietary intake in low-income Hispanic populations?
Conclusion
The Spanish food frequency questionnaire is reasonably valid for assessing dietary intakes of Hispanics.
Supporting Evidence
- The food frequency questionnaire showed higher mean nutrient estimates compared to 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Median sensitivity was 62% and specificity was 76% for identifying dietary intake below recommended levels.
- Correlations between the FFQ and dietary recalls were satisfactory for most nutrients.
Takeaway
Researchers checked if a food questionnaire works well for Hispanic people, and it mostly did!
Methodology
The study involved 89 low-income Hispanic participants who completed three 24-hour dietary recalls and a food frequency questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Potential respondent error in reporting dietary intake due to the structure of the questionnaire.
Limitations
The study primarily included Mexican Americans, limiting the generalizability to other Hispanic subgroups.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily Mexican and Mexican American, with a mean age of 36.8 years and 42% male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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