Using the method of triads in the validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the consumption of fatty acids in adults

Abstract

Using the method of triads in the validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the consumption of fatty acids in adults. J Hum Nutr Diet. 31, 85-95 https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12497 AbstractBackground: It is of great value to develop valid instruments to estimate food consumption; for this purpose, the triads method has been applied in validation studies of dietary intake to evaluate the correlation between three measurements [food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), reference method and biomarker]. The main aim of the present study was to validate a FFQ for Brazilian adults by means of the method of triads by estimating the ingestion of total fatty acids based on the level of saturation. Methods: The present study enrolled 152 Brazilian adults of both sexes, who were residents in the city of Vic ßosa, Brazil. The ingestion of total saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids was assessed by means of a FFQ, two food records, and biomarkers, which were detected by gas chromatography. The validation coefficients were calculated using the method of triads and concordance was determined by Kappa statistics. Results: The FFQ was considered an adequate dietary method, because, based on the validation coefficients, it estimates the intake of total fat (0.84), as well as linolenic (0.90) and linoleic acids (0.31). A high concordance rate was confirmed for all nutrients assessed by the FFQ and food records. Regarding the biomarkers, linolenic acid and linoleic acid presented greater concordance. Conclusions: According to the validation coefficients, the FFQ precisely estimated total fat, linolenic acid and linoleic acid contents.

Validating fatty acid intake as estimated by an FFQ: how does the 24 h recall perform as reference method compared with the duplicate portion?

“…This is in line with our findings for LA when using the 24hR as reference method. A recent study in Brazilian adults, also using the method of triads with a biomarker, FFQ and 24hR, reported validity coefficients for the FFQ for SFA (0·28) and LA (0·31) which are lower than our results ( 24 ) . Although differences in the statistical method to assess validity coefficients, adjustment for different covariates, study population, validity of the FCD and characteristics of the FFQ may hamper comparability of studies, our findings were in the same order of magnitude as the results previously published.…”

Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Intake of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Switzerland

“…Nevertheless, the median intakes did not differ significantly between the two methods for any of the PUFAs reported. It was reported previously that in general FFQs tend to overestimate dietary intake compared to other methods such as repeated 24-h recalls or food records [21,22,23]. In our current study, the differences were not significant.…”

Preliminary Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake in Eye Care Practice

“…The ‘method of triads’ statistical model was used to derive a validity coefficient to estimate the relationship between a dietary measurement (e.g., the CODS) and an estimated “true” intake (Figure S2) [42,43]. Validity coefficients closer to 1 indicated a closer relationship between the estimated dietary score and the estimated “true” intake [27].…”