Contribution of a manually coded part in an optically readable, precoded sevenday food record for the intake of energy, nutrients and foods

Magdalena Rosell,Lars Berglund,Ulf De Faire,Inga-Britt Gustafsson,Maj-Lis Hellénius,Gunnar Johansson

doi:10.1080/11026480310014702

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the contribution of a manually coded part (MP) in a precoded 7 day food record for the intake of energy, nutrients and foods. Design: The dietary intake was assessed in a cross-sectional study using an optically readable precoded 7 day food record. Biological markers for the intakes of protein, sodium and potassium were measured in 24 h urine samples. Underreporters were identified according to the Goldberg cut-off for energy intake:basal metabolic rate. The study setting was an outpatient clinic at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. The subjects were 301 healthy men aged 63 years. Results: The MP represented 20% of the energy intake. Intakes recorded as free text were foods commonly eaten between meals, especially in the evening and were, with the exception of fruits, characterized as less healthy. The agreement between using the food record with and without the MP, respectively, was low for energy, carbohydrates, a-tocophe rol and vitamin C, and high for retinol, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Underreporters recorded their food intake as free text to a lesser degree than did non-underreporters. When the MP was included in the food record, the percentage of energy from fat and carbohydrates increased and the percentage of energy from protein decreased. The biological markers for protein, sodium and potassium confirmed an improved validity of the dietary data when the MP was included. Conclusions: Inclusion of the food consumption recorded in free text influenced the dietary quality and indicated improved validity of the optically readable precoded food record. To increase the possibility of catching underreporting in dietary surveys, these findings emphasize the importance of the recording/ reporting of between-meal eating. Keywords: biological markers; dietary assessment; in-between meals; precoded food record; underreporting

Highlights

In studies where a large number of participants are required, the possibilities of obtaining detailed dietary data at a reasonable cost are limited
When the manually coded part (MP) was added to the precoded part (PP), the percentages of energy from all macronutrients except for fibre and alcohol changed compared with when the PP was used alone (Table 2)
This study investigated how food intakes recorded as free text by participants, and manually coded, contributed to the quality of dietary data in a study of 301 healthy men aged 63 years where the dietary intake was assessed using a precoded, optically readable 7 day food record

Summary

Introduction

In studies where a large number of participants are required, the possibilities of obtaining detailed dietary data at a reasonable cost are limited. Used methods are 24 h recalls and food frequency questionnaires (1Á/3). A higher accuracy has been obtained with recording methods [4]. Food recording is linked with a high work load and low compliance, and it tends to underestimate dietary intake. A simplified food record, handled by both the investigators and the participants, is an attractive alternative to obtain reasonably good and detailed information without losing too many participants. A simplified, precoded 7 day food record was used in a Swedish nation-wide dietary survey carried out by the National Food Administration and Statistics Sweden in 1989 [5, 6]. The record consisted of preprinted alternatives for commonly eaten foods and meals, and space for writing down

Methods

Results

Conclusion