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Short-term repeatability of a food frequency questionnaire in New Zealand children aged 1–14 y

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages 1498–1503 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the repeatability of a children's food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by gender, ethnicity, and age group.

Design: A 117-item FFQ asking about food intake patterns over the past 4 weeks was developed using food records from 428 children (204 boys and 224 girls) and the reproducibility on average 13 days apart was tested in 130 children (78 boys and 52 girls). Children were recruited using clustered probability sampling (n=103), and a convenience sample of 25 Maori children.

Setting: Children aged 1–14 y from Auckland, Feilding and Shannon, New Zealand.

Subjects: There were 71 Maori, 20 Pacific, and 39 Other children.

Results: Spearman correlations between the two FFQs ranged from 0.50 for bread to 0.82 for fruit, with a median of 0.76 for spreads and nonmilk drinks, and Cronbach's coefficient α's ranged from 0.59 for bread to 0.92 for nonmilk drinks, with a median of 0.85 for mixed meat dishes. There were no significant differences between the two administrations, apart from reporting higher intakes of vegetables and snacks & sweets in the first FFQ. Correlation coefficients tended to be slightly higher in boys than in girls, and in Other ethnic groups compared to Maori and Pacific children. Correlations were slightly higher for the 1–4 y age group, intermediate in the 10–14 y age group, and lowest in the 5–9 y-old age group.

Conclusions: Overall, the FFQ described here shows similar or better repeatability in New Zealand children of all major ethnic groups compared to other child or adolescent FFQs.

Sponsorship: The New Zealand Ministry of Health contracted this study.

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Acknowledgements

This development work for the Child Nutrition Survey was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Collaborators on the Child Nutrition Pilot Survey were Professor Boyd Swinburn, Dr Cameron Grant, Dr Sitaleke Finau, and Alistair Stewart from the University of Auckland, Professor Mason Durie (Massey University, Palmerston North), Dr Elaine Rush (Auckland University of Technology), and Dr Clare Wall, Kate Sladden and Patsy Watson (Massey University, Albany). The study manager in Shannon was Hana Karatea. Recruitment was carried out by Kalolo Fihaki, Charlene Kaihau, Joseph Kaihau, Taani Lavulavu, David Pearce and Jill Pearce, in Auckland; and Ani Johnson, Christina Karatea, Bev Kemp, Tari Millan, Rangihaanu Rolls, Edeena Shadlock, Theresa Tukapua, and Teresa Waiwiri in Shannon. Interviews were carried out by Michelle Cumin, Grace Koroheke, Taani Lavulavu, Cheryl Lawton, and Debbie Raroa in Auckland and Bev Kemp, Tari Millan, Edeena Shadlock, and Theresa Tukapua in Shannon. Dr Colin Bell, Judith Morley-John, Nicole Coup, and Emma Mihaere collected the 24-h records used to create the FFQ lists. Dr Patricia Metcalf was supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

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Author notes

  1. P A Metcalf: Guarantor: PA Metcalf.

  2. P A Metcalf, R K R Scragg, S Sharpe, E D H Fitzgerald, D Schaaf and C Watts: Contributors: RS, CW (formerly at the Ministry of Health), SS, EF and PM contributed to the design of this study. SS, RS and PM contributed to the food groups used in the FFQ and SS designed and organised its printing. PM contributed to the statistical analysis and interpretation of the data. All authors contributed to the conduct of the study, data collection and writing of this manuscript. EF and DS carried out consultation with Maori and Pacific groups, respectively, in the community, to ensure their representation in the study and that survey techniques were culturally appropriate.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Community Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    P A Metcalf, R K R Scragg, S Sharpe & D Schaaf

  2. Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1, New Zealand

    P A Metcalf

  3. School of Maori Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    E D H Fitzgerald

  4. Cancer Society of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand

    C Watts

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  1. P A Metcalf
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  6. C Watts
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Correspondence to P A Metcalf.

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Metcalf, P., Scragg, R., Sharpe, S. et al. Short-term repeatability of a food frequency questionnaire in New Zealand children aged 1–14 y. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 1498–1503 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601717

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