Implementation of Harmonized Food Consumption Data Collection in the Balkan Region According to the EFSA EU Menu Methodology Standards

Abstract

Initiatives in the Capacity Development in Nutrition Research in the Balkan region in the last decade have been toward the creation of contemporary, harmonized Research Infrastructure (RI) compliant with European standards. This study describes the process of creation and implementation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) EU Menu methodology in the Balkan region during the EFSA support projects for food consumption data collection in four countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia). This process entailed the application and improvement of an innovative tool, the DIET ASSESS and PLAN (DAP), a platform for standardized food consumption data collection and dietary intake assessment. DAP comprises computerized food consumption, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity questionnaires, validated food picture book, and FoodEx2 exposure hierarchy with sets of facet descriptors of the interest. It hosts the Balkan food platform with a Serbian food composition database (FCDB) and Regional FCDB, compliant with European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR™) standards. The implementation of the DAP platform in national dietary surveys conducted with the support of the EFSA EU Menu project in Balkan countries enabled harmonized food consumption data compilation and reporting. Application of the methodology entailed the development of study protocol and extensive education and training of study personnel. The entire data collection process was managed by internal and external survey coordinators. A pilot study was conducted to test the entire data collection and control process and was afterward used to make necessary improvements and adjustments to meet EU Menu requirements. Data collected are internationally comparable with food consumption data in other European countries within the framework of the EU Menu program. The existence of such data in the Balkan region will catalyze research activities in emerging topics, such as identification of dietary patterns, the establishment of national nutrient reference values and food-based dietary guidelines (not only in Serbia, but in the whole Balkan region), dietary exposure assessments, the endorsement and evaluation of new food legislations, the environmental and other effects of diet on the food system. The developed and implemented methodology underpins evidence-based policy-making processes lacking in the field of public health nutrition in the region.

The Intake of Phosphorus and Nitrites through Meat Products: A Health Risk Assessment of Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia

“…The National Food Consumption Survey on toddlers and children, in compliance with the EFSA EU Menu methodology [33,34], was conducted between 2017 and 2021 and included a total of 576 participants, comprising 290 toddlers aged from 1 to 2.9 years old and 286 children aged from 3 to 9 years old. Data collected included: general questionnaire, body weight and height measurements, age-appropriate Food Propensity Questionnaire (FPQ), and twice repeated 24 h food record.…”

“…Additionally, the study sample was stratified to proportionally cover weekdays and weekend days, capturing variability of dietary patterns. According to EFSA EU Menu methodology, food consumption data collection studies are performed using twice repeated 24 h records [33]. Total exposure from nitrites and phosphate-total EDI-could not be extracted in this study, as only consumption of processed meat products was observed.…”

Occupational and non-occupational risk factors correlating with the severity of clinical manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome and related work disability among workers who work with a computer

“…Data on the frequency of consumption of certain food groups and dietary supplements over the past year and level of physical activity over the past week were collected by a trained medical doctor using a food propensity questionnaire (FPQ) in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) EU Menu methodology ( 49 , 50 ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF) ( 51 ). Data on the frequency of consumption of certain food groups and dietary supplements over the past year were categorised into seven categories: 1) never; 2) less than once a month; 3) one to three times a month; 4) once a week; 5) two to three times a week; 6) four to five times a week; and 7) six to seven times a week.…”

Evaluation of Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Status in 1–9-Year-Old Children Living in Serbia: National Food Consumption Survey according to the EU Menu Methodology

“…The Serbian Food Consumption Survey methodology details have been previously published [ 11 ]. In brief, the study was conceptualized and conducted in compliance with principles, established protocols, and guidelines of the EU Menu project between 2017 and 2021 [ 12 , 13 ]. The nationally representative sample comprised children residing in private households in the territory of the Republic of Serbia and was classified into two subgroups: (1) one- to three-year-old toddlers, and (2) three to nine year-old-children.…”