Validation of a FFQ for estimating ω-3, ω-6 and trans fatty acid intake during pregnancy using mature breast milk and food recalls

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:To assess the performance of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for estimating o-3, o-6 and trans fatty acid intake during pregnancy. Moreover, we determined whether the fatty acid composition of mature breast milk represents a valuable biomarker for fatty acid intake during pregnancy. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A prospective study in 41 pregnant women, aged 18-35 years, was conducted. Food intake during pregnancy was evaluated by three 24-h recalls (24 hR), and 2 FFQ. The fatty acid composition of mature breast milk was determined by gas chromatography. The method of triads and joint classification between quartiles of intake were applied. RESULTS: The FFQ was accurate for estimating docosahexanoic (DHA), linoleic and total o-6 fatty acids according to validity coefficients. Higher agreements (470%) into the same or adjacent quartiles between the dietary methods were found for a-linolenic, total o-3, linoleic and trans fatty acid intake. High validity coefficients for eicosapentanoic (EPA) and DHA acids of human milk were found (0.61 and 0.73, respectively), and the method was adequate for categorizing the intake of a-linolenic, total o-3 and trans fatty acids compared with FFQ estimates, and for arachidonic acid and trans fatty acids compared with food recall estimates, during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ was an accurate tool for categorizing a-linolenic, total o-3 and trans fatty acid intake. According to the validity coefficients observed, the FFQ accurately estimated DHA, linoleic and total o-6 fatty acids and the composition of mature breast milk was shown to be a suitable biomarker for EPA and DHA fatty acid intake during pregnancy.

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

“…When assessing the capability of an FFQ for estimating the ingestion of some polyunsaturated fatty acids using the triangulation technique, McNaughton et al (3) found the validation coefficient of 0.5 for the a-linolenic fatty acid, demonstrating that the dietary instrument applied estimated fatty acid ingestion adequately. When estimating the a-linolenic fatty acid intake from expectant mothers, Sartorelli et al (15) confirmed greater precision by applying an FFQ compared to the 24-h food record and breast milk. A systematic review published by Serra-Majem et al (47) , which aimed to determine the validation of dietary methods and biomarkers for omega 3 intake in healthy adults, recommended investigations with different potential biomarkers for these fatty acids, especially in different populations.…”

“…The correlations between both dietary methods for the assessed nutrients were greater among the dietary surveys than those performed with biomarkers, similar to the results of a study by Sartorelli et al . , who sought a validation of an FFQ in expectant mothers for estimating the ingestion of linoleic acid, α‐linolenic acid and trans fatty acids using the method of triads. To determine the precision in polyunsaturated fatty acid ingestion of healthy Australian volunteers using a validated, 38‐question FFQ, Meyer et al .…”

“…When estimating the α‐linolenic fatty acid intake from expectant mothers, Sartorelli et al . confirmed greater precision by applying an FFQ compared to the 24‐h food record and breast milk.…”

“…Sartorelli et al . used the method of triads to assess the performance of an FFQ when estimating linoleic acid ingestion during pregnancy and found a determined a coefficient of 0.42 for the dietary instrument, which is not so different from the one obtained in the present study.…”

Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Estimating Micronutrient Intakes in an Urban US Sample of Multi-Ethnic Pregnant Women

“…Of the two studies that included ethnic minorities, only one included supplements and this study was conducted among low-income American Indian and Caucasian women [6]. Since 2009, additional validation papers have been published [5, 9, 45, 54]; however, they again did not include pregnant minorities, lacked information on supplement use, and included limited micronutrients and/or focused on food group intakes or dietary patterns. While the prevalence of supplement use during pregnancy has been reported to be as high as 80 % [4], there are few such studies conducted in the US [51].…”