Reliability and Validity of a Culturally Appropriate Food Frequency Questionnaire to Measure Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intakes in Midwestern African American Women of Childbearing Age

Abstract

Background: Omega-3 fatty acid intakes may play an important role in maternal health outcomes and infant brain and neural development. Research has shown that pregnant African American women have intakes below recommended levels for optimal health. Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the reliability and validity of a culturally specific FFQ to measure total omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid, ALA, EPA and DHA intake of Midwestern African American women (n=49) of child-bearing age and examine associations between these intakes with maternal health issues from previous pregnancies. Methods: The omega-3 FFQ questionnaire was developed by 24 hour recall interviews, analyzed for content validity and pilot tested. The final culturally appropriate 187 item FFQ was then completed by women three times, via interview by an RD, along with three non-consecutive 24 hour food recalls, during a two week period. Maternal health issues were assessed by demographic questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the FFQ was assessed by Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and Pearson correlation coefficients, respectively. Results: Mean daily consumption of total omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, EPA, DHA and DPA as estimated by the 3 administrations of the FFQ, were 2.68 + 1.37 g/day, 2.45 + 1.30 g/day, 0.07 + 0.07 g/day, 0.12 + 0.11 g/day and 0.03 + 0.02 g/day, respectively. The Cronbach’s coefficient alphas, for reliability of the FFQ, were 0.89 for total omega-3, 0.89 for ALA, 0.89 for EPA, 0.88 for DHA and 0.83 for DPA. Pearson correlation coefficients as measured for validity between the FFQ and the recalls, were 0.44, 0.44, 0.59 and 0.60 for total n-3 fatty acid, ALA, EPA and DHA (P American women with past history of low birth weight, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes and post-partum depression had a significant difference in omega-3 fatty acid intakes when compared to those without prior history. Conclusions: In conclusion, this culturally appropriate FFQ seems to be reliable and valid in measuring omega-3 fatty acid intake in Midwestern African American women. This tool may be used to assess other populations of African American women’s intake of omega-3 fatty acids.