Zinc-specific food frequency questionnaire

Abstract

Purpose: A new dietary zinc assessment tool (ZAT) was evaluated to determine its usefulness in estimating zinc intakes among college students.

Methods: A food frequency questionnaire specifically designed for calculating average zinc intakes was administered to university students who had also completed three-day food records. Zinc intakes from the two instruments were compared.

Results: Among 171 participants (38 male, 133 female) aged 20.2 +/- 1.6 years (mean +/- standard deviation), the two dietary assessment methods were positively correlated (r=0.33, p<0.001). The ZAT correctly identified 76% of the women who were obtaining less than the National Academy of Sciences Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc (8 mg/day for females, 11 mg/day for males).

Conclusions: This convenient tool may assist in the identification of problematic dietary patterns at an early stage. Further design modifications and expanded studies are warranted.