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  • Original Article
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Recommendations for a trans-European dietary assessment method in children between 4 and 14 years

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages S58–S64 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The main objective of European Food Consumption Validation (EFCOVAL)-child Project is to define and evaluate a trans-European methodology for undertaking national representative dietary surveys among children in the age group of 4–14 years. In the process of identifying the best dietary assessment methodologies, experts were brought together at a workshop. The paper presents the discussion of the best available method and the final recommendations for a trans-European dietary assessment method among 4- to 14-year-old children.

Subjects/Methods:

The starting point was to investigate whether the method (two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs)) suggested for the adults in European Food Consumption Survey Method (EFCOSUM) would be usable for children in the age group between 4 and 14 years. However, all available dietary assessment methods were included in the discussion to ensure that the final recommendation would be based on the best evidence. Six criteria were defined and used as additional guidance in the process.

Results:

The literature does not give a clear recommendation on the dietary assessment methods that are most suitable for children in the age group of 4–14 years. Nevertheless, on the basis of the literature, the recommendations were separated for preschoolers (4–6 years) and schoolchildren (7–14 years).

Conclusion:

For preschoolers, two non-consecutive days of a structured food record are recommended, using a (for children adapted) picture booklet and household measures for portion-size estimation. For schoolchildren, repeated 24-HDRs are recommended, using a picture booklet and household measures for portion-size estimation. In addition, the child should bring a booklet to register what is eaten out of home. One parent should assist the schoolchild at the 24-HDR interview, and therefore face-to-face interviews are required.

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Acknowledgements

This study reflects only our views and the Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. LFA and ET were the primary organizers of the workshop in EFCOVAL-child Project. LFA, SL, HB, AK-R, EJdB, PA, ET were all members of the work packed in EFCOVAL working with the EFCOVAL-child Project. LFA wrote the first draft of the paper and all the co-authors provided comments and suggestions on the manuscript until the final draft was completed. The Community funding under the Sixth Framework Program for the EFCOVAL Project is acknowledged (FOOD-CT-2006-022895).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    L F Andersen

  2. Food intake and Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, French agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France

    S Lioret

  3. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    H Brants & E J de Boer

  4. Akademija Medicinskih Znanostl Hrvatske, Zagreb, Croatia

    A Kaic-Rak

  5. Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian and CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain

    P Amiano

  6. Department of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Soeborg, Denmark

    E Trolle

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  1. L F Andersen
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on behalf of the EFCOVAL Consortium

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Correspondence to L F Andersen.

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Andersen, L., Lioret, S., Brants, H. et al. Recommendations for a trans-European dietary assessment method in children between 4 and 14 years. Eur J Clin Nutr 65 (Suppl 1), S58–S64 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.88

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