Effect of interviewer recording practices on nutrient intake--Bogalusa Heart Study

Abstract

Recording practices of interviewers who independently collected dietary recalls from children for the same 24-hour eating period were analyzed. For each duplicate pair, three aspects of recording were examined: name of foods, quantity assessed from child, and food identification number selected prior to nutrient analysis. There was a 76% agreement on recorded food names. For those matched foods, 87% were assigned the same food identification numbers. Differences regarding quantities of foods were greatest for liquids, meats, and sweets. Recalls were analyzed for nutrient content on the computerized Extended Table of Nutrient Values. A paired t-test statistic showed significant sequence effect, with total energy, sugar, fat, and unsaturated fat higher for the first interview. Significant differences in nutrient intake were noted for the interviewer pair with highest percentage of foods differing by name. After-school snack assessment was the most variable eating occasion. Entry-level criteria for trained interviewers are proposed to establish standardized interviewing techniques when applying the 24-hour recall tool to child respondents.