Comparison of nutrient intake levels in older adults as estimated by self-administered versus interview-assisted food frequency questionnaires

Abstract

Quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have been found to quickly determine an individual's usual nutrient intake; however, few researchers have addressed the assessment of nutrient level profiles of older adults based on the method of FFQ administration. The purpose of this study was to examine the adequacy of FFQ methodology in older adults. A short, 34-item, food frequency questionnaire (SFQ) was adapted from the 98-item Health Habits and History Questionnaire (HHHQ) developed by the National Cancer Institute, and both instruments were administered to 42 older adults. The SFQ was self-administered and the HHHQ was interview-assisted. Nutrient profiles were examined based on the self-administered short form (SA-SFQ), the interview-assisted long form (IA-HHHQ), and a subset of the long form mimicking the short form (IA-SFQ). IA-SFQ and SA-SFQ correlations for energy and 12 nutrients ranged between r = 0.27 and r = 0.58. Mean nutrient levels for protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, and phosphorus were significantly different between IA-SFQ and SA-SFQ. These data suggest that, for older adults, the method of FFQ administration may significantly alter the resulting nutrient intake profiles.