Carotenoid, Tocopherol, and Fatty Acid Biomarkers and Dietary Intake Estimated by Using a Brief Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire for Older Japanese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

SummaryWe investigated the association between nutrient biomarkers and dietary intake estimated using a brief self-administered dietary history questionnaire (BDHQ) for Japanese children and adolescents. Blood samples were collected from 398 subjects (5th graders of elementary school aged 10-11 y, and 2nd graders of secondary schools aged 13-14 y) randomly selected from among students in Shunan City, Japan, who were then required to answer two questionnaires. Spearman correlations were calculated between dietary intake and the corresponding biomarkers (serum carotenoids, tocopherols, and erythrocyte fatty acids). Correlations with ␤ -carotene and ␤ -cryptoxanthin were significant in the 13-and 14-y age group ( r ϭ 0.220-0.333, p Ͻ 0.030) and the 10-and 11-y age subgroup who answered the questionnaire with assistance ( r ϭ 0.295-0.299, respectively, p ϭ 0.006). Consumption of green-yellow vegetables and fruits was significantly correlated with ␤ -carotene and ␤ -cryptoxanthin levels ( r ϭ 0.205-0.341, p Ͻ 0.047). In the 13-and 14-y age group, correlations with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were between 0.215 and 0.473 ( p Ͻ 0.040). Total seafood intake was significantly correlated with marine n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; r ϭ 0.239-0.420, p Ͻ 0.023). In the 10-and 11-y age subgroup who completed the questionnaire with assistance, seafood intake was significantly correlated with marine n -3 PUFAs ( r ϭ 0.239-0.243, p Ͻ 0.032). In conclusion, dietary intake assessed using the BDHQ reflects the corresponding biomarkers for 13-and 14-y-olds; however, when used for elementary school children, caution is necessary in interpreting the results.

A comparative validation of a child food frequency questionnaire using red blood cell membrane fatty acids

“…35 In the current study, dietary intakes were assessed using an FFQ which are associated with a respondent bias when investigating the association between dietary and RBC fatty acids. 43 In the current study, the correlations of all subjects may be overestimated because the conditions of overweight/obesity are more prevalent than in the general population. Given these limitations, the proxy parental reports obtained from the ACAES still demonstrated a moderate correlation with total n-3 intake and with EPA intake using erythrocyte fatty acid concentrations as the biomarker.…”

Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load in relation to risk of overweight in Japanese children and adolescents: the Ryukyus Child Health Study

“…Actual dietary habits were not observed in addition to no information on portion size collected (mainly because of difficulty in portion size estimation in many children and adolescents), 42 and the validity of BDHQCA regarding selected fatty acids and carotenoids appears somewhat insufficient, more so in children Glycemic index, fiber and overweight in Japanese K Murakami et al Glycemic index, fiber and overweight in Japanese K Murakami et al (9-10 years) than adolescents (13-14 years). 23 Additionally, the validity of the DHQCA regarding dietary GI, GL and fiber is unknown, notwithstanding that the comprehensive version of the diet history questionnaire for adults, from which the BDHQCA was developed, has been well validated not only for these 18 but also for commonly studied nutritional variables. 24,25 Moreover, misreporting of dietary intake, particularly by overweight subjects, is a serious problem associated with self-report dietary assessment methods.…”

“…17,19 The validity of the BDHQCA has been reported elsewhere in terms of selected fatty acids and carotenoids using biomarkers (erythrocyte fatty acids and serum carotenoids) as the gold standard. 23 However, validity has not been investigated in terms of other dietary variables, including dietary GI, GL and fiber.…”

“…23 The BDHQCA is a four-page structured questionnaire that inquires about the consumption frequency of selected foods commonly consumed in Japan, general dietary behavior and usual cooking methods. This questionnaire was developed based on comprehensive (16-page) 18,24,25 and brief (4-page) 23,26 versions of a validated self-administered diet history questionnaire for Japanese adults. Estimates of daily intake for foods (80 items in total), energy and selected nutrients were calculated using an ad hoc computer algorithm for the BDHQCA, which was based on the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan.…”

Effects of the National School Lunch Program on Bone Growth in Japanese Elementary School Children

“…The survey on the status of nutrient and food groups intake and the questionnaire survey were conducted following the method reported by Kohri et al (9). In brief, nutrient and food groups intake were assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire modified for elementary school children (BDHQ-10y) (12) to assess the habitual diets of elementary school children aged 9-10 y.…”