Abstract P404: Validation of a Culturally Modified 24 hour Dietary Recall Questionnaire for use in Rural South Indian Populations

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of dietary intake in rural populations can be extremely challenging because of cultural and environmental limitations.Only one other study in India has been conducted to validate a 24 hour dietary recall. The purpose of this study was to validate a three pass 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire, culturally modified for use in South Indian populations, against a series of weighed food records (WFRs). Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that there will be less than 15% variance between amounts of food reported to be consumed in 24 hour dietary recalls and amounts of food weighed during WFRs. Methods: Eight life size food portion photographs of common South Indian food servings were created to aid participant recall. Nutrient intake was calculated using a food database specifically created for South Indian food items. Dietary data were compared between the two dietary assessment methods in 30 adults aged 19-85 years. WFRs were conducted in the household by a trained field worker. The amount of food served by each participant was weighed, along with any left overs not eaten. The following day, field workers administered a 24 hour recall interview to the same participant. Results: In total, 101 replicate weighed food portions were matched with estimated portions by 24 hour recall for 21 different types of food or drink. Overall, there was an 11% over-estimation by 24 hour recall compared to the WFR and a strong correlation between the two measures (r=0.93). Mean nutrient intakes obtained from each measure were not significantly different. Conclusions: The culturally specific modifications made to the 24 hour dietary recall method is valid for assessing energy, macro- and micro- nutrient intake in rural Indian populations.