Development and relative validity of a self‐administered semi‐quantitative drinks frequency questionnaire, validated in a population of university students

Abstract

Aim Drinks can contribute to energy as well as micro‐ and macro‐nutrient intake. Drink‐specific, validated, quick and easy to administer questionnaires are needed to monitor secular trends in beverage consumption for different populations. The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to develop and validate a drink‐specific questionnaire for the Greek population. Methods A 41‐item semi‐quantitative drinks frequency questionnaire (DFQ) was developed and validated against 7‐day weighed food records, among young Greek adults. Wilcoxon ranks tests, Kendall tau‐b correlations and Bland–Altman plot were used to compare the two methods. Fifty‐nine Greek University students (28 males, 31 females) completed both methods. Results No difference was observed in total drinks intake between the two methods. The Bland–Altman plot showed that the two methods are likely to agree concerning the total drinks intake. Wilcoxon's rank test showed no significant differences between the two methods, except for the ‘whiskey/vodka/gin’ intake (P < 0.001). ‘Good’ agreement (tau‐b > 0.61) was observed for most DFQ items, including low‐fat and chocolate milk, hot chocolate, Greek/espresso coffee, commercial tea, packaged fruit juices, wine, alcohol‐free beer, light cola‐type drinks and water (tap/bottled/sparkling). ‘Low’ agreement (<0.30) was noted for filtered/instant/iced coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and some alcoholic drinks (beer/whiskey/vodka/gin). Conclusions The DFQ appears to be an overall valid means of estimating the habitual intake of drinks in large‐scale epidemiological surveys. The study supports the use of DFQ for assessing drinks consumption patterns and secular trends.

Impact of Intensive Lifestyle Treatment (Diet Plus Exercise) on Endothelial and Vascular Function, Arterial Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Stage 1 Hypertension: Results of the HINTreat Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Concerning Na intake of participants, our study agrees with previous research, regarding the lack of validity of self-reported Na intake [75]. According to the results, it appears that the reported intake differed from the measured urinary Na excretion, and this is why measuring urinary Na is considered as the gold standard for estimating Na intake [76,77]. Furthermore, it appears that intensive counseling can reduce the Na intake of hypertensive patients, whereas, on the other hand, simple reporting of the recommendations does not appear to be an adequate intervention inducing significant consumption changes.…”

Dietary intake in health and disease, challenges in measuring and reporting diet‐disease relationships

“…The authors concluded that the PDQ is a useful screening tool for identifying dietary risk among preschoolers. In another paper, Marakis et al 7 demonstrated moderate/fair validity of a drinks frequency questionnaire (41-items) compared with 7-day weighed food records in a Greek young adult population (n = 59). 7 The authors concluded that the questionnaire is a valid and practical monitoring and surveillance tool for measuring habitual drink intake in adults.…”

“…In another paper, Marakis et al 7 demonstrated moderate/fair validity of a drinks frequency questionnaire (41-items) compared with 7-day weighed food records in a Greek young adult population (n = 59). 7 The authors concluded that the questionnaire is a valid and practical monitoring and surveillance tool for measuring habitual drink intake in adults. Han et al, 10 in an additional study in this issue, described the three stage development and validation of a diabetes-related nutrition knowledge questionnaire among a sample of Singaporean adults with type 2 diabetes.…”

“…Accurate measurement of dietary intake is crucial to monitor dietary intake trends over time, and understanding relationships between dietary intake and chronic disease development . However, accurately measuring and interpreting dietary intake is challenging, and at a population level, some methods such as 24‐hour recalls and weighed food records are time and resource intensive . Dietary questionnaires, including food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and brief tools can be less resource intensive to implement on a large scale but come with their own limitations.…”

“…6 However, accurately measuring and interpreting dietary intake is challenging, and at a population level, some methods such as 24-hour recalls and weighed food records are time and resource intensive. 7 Dietary questionnaires, including food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and brief tools can be less resource intensive to implement on a large scale but come with their own limitations. These include being less comprehensive, potentially only appropriate for use in the context for which they were originally validated and the need to apply calibration equations or sensitivity analyses.…”