Relative Validity of the Meal-Based Diet History Questionnaire for Estimating Nutrient Intake among Japanese Women and Men aged 30–76 Years

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relative validity of the Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire (MDHQ) for estimating nutrient intake. Dietary data were obtained from 111 Japanese women and 111 Japanese men, using the online MDHQ and the 4-non-consecutive-day weighed dietary record (DR). The number of nutrients (total n = 46) showing no significant mean differences between estimates from the online MDHQ and DR (with energy adjustment by the density model) was 17 among women and 12 among men. The median value (25th and 75th percentiles) of the Pearson correlation coefficients between the online MDHQ and DR estimates was 0.54 (0.35–0.57) among women and 0.45 (0.25–0.53) among men. Bland–Altman plots for energy-providing nutrients indicated wide limits of agreement (and proportional bias for protein) with overall underestimation of protein and fat and overestimation of carbohydrate by the online MDHQ. Similar results were found when the paper version of the MDHQ (completed after the DR) was examined. For example, the median value of the Pearson correlation coefficients was 0.54 for women and 0.45 for men. This study suggests that the MDHQ has an acceptable ability to rank individuals according to intakes of a wide range of nutrients.

The Nutritional Characteristics of Usual Lunches Consumed Among Japanese Workers

“…Finally, dietary intake, lunch type, and all other variables were self-reported. Although the MDHQ is a validated questionnaire for dietary assessment, 30,31,34 underreporting of energy intake could have occurred. For example, mean reported energy intake in this study was lower than in previous studies among Japanese based on DRs 2 .…”

“…For crude values of estimated nutrient intake (from whole meals and snacks), median values of Pearson correlation coefficients (25th and 75th percentiles) were 0.37 (0.30 to 0.46) in women and 0.33 (0.21 to 0.40) in men. Corresponding values for energy-adjusted nutrient intakes were 0.54 (0.35 to 0.57) in women and 0.45 (0.25 to 0.53) in men 31 …”

“…Relative validity of the MDHQ in estimating nutrient and food intakes was investigated in 222 Japanese adults (n = 111 for each sex) against a 4-day diet record (DR) 30,31 . For estimated food intake from lunch, median values of Spearman correlation coefficients (25th and 75th percentiles) between the MDHQ and DR were 0.30 (0.21 to 0.42) for women and 0.34 (0.26 to 0.41) for men 30 .…”

“…Corresponding values for energy-adjusted nutrient intakes were 0.54 (0.35 to 0.57) in women and 0.45 (0.25 to 0.53) in men. 31…”

“…29 Relative validity of the MDHQ in estimating nutrient and food intakes was investigated in 222 Japanese adults (n = 111 for each sex) against a 4-day diet record (DR). 30,31 For estimated food intake from lunch, median values of Spearman correlation coefficients (25th and 75th percentiles) between the MDHQ and DR were 0.30 (0.21 to 0.42) for women and 0.34 (0.26 to 0.41) for men. 30 For crude values of estimated nutrient intake (from whole meals and snacks), median values of Pearson correlation coefficients (25th and 75th percentiles) were 0.37 (0.30 to 0.46) in women and 0.33 (0.21 to 0.40) in men.…”