Assessment of dietary intake in an inner-city African American population and development of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire to highlight foods and nutrients for a nutritional invention

Abstract

Primary objective: To characterize the diets of low-income inner-city African Americans to develop a population-specific quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) that will be used to highlight foods and nutrients for a nutritional intervention program aimed at reducing the risk of chronic disease and to evaluate the program.

Methods and procedures: A cross-sectional survey conducted in inner-city Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected in 91 low-income African Americans aged between 18 and 74 years.

Main outcomes and results: The average daily energy intake was approximately 2,165 kcal for women and 2,509 kcal for men. The percentages of energy from fat were approximately 34% and 33% for women and men, respectively. Sodas were the main contributor to energy and sugar intake. A 113-item QFFQ was developed.

Conclusions: The results highlighted specific foods and nutrients that would be targeted in the nutritional intervention. The QFFQ developed is culturally appropriate and specific for low-income African Americans in inner-city Baltimore.