Development and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire to assess diets of older children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To develop a self-administered food frequency questionnaire for older children and adolescents and to demonstrate reproducibility over a 1-year period.

Design: The youth/adolescent questionnaire (YAQ) was based on the validated Nurses' Health Study food frequency questionnaire and was developed to reflect the eating habits of this age group.

Subjects: The multiethnic sample consisted of 179 youths (ages 9 to 18 years) who completed the questionnaire twice, 1 year apart.

Statistical analysis: Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated on nutrient data adjusted in relation to energy intake and on unadjusted food data.

Results: Reproducibility for nutrients ranged from .26 for protein and iron to .58 for calcium, and for foods it ranged from .39 for meats to .57 for soda. Mean reproducibility was higher among girls than boys for energy and nutrients and for foods; no consistent pattern was observed for age.

Conclusion: A self-administered food frequency questionnaire has a reasonable ability to assess the eating habits of older children and adolescents over time.