Comparison of multiple-pass 24-hour recall estimates of energy intake with total energy expenditure determined by the doubly labeled water method in young children

Abstract

Objective: This study determined the accuracy of the multiple-pass 24-hour recall method for estimating energy intake in young children by comparing it with measurements of total energy expenditure made using the doubly labeled water method.

Design: Three multiple-pass 24-hour recalls were obtained over a 14-day period to estimate mean energy intake. Total energy expenditure was measured over the same 14-day period under free-living conditions using the doubly labeled water technique.

Subjects/setting: Twenty-four children between the ages of 4 and 7 years were tested at the General Clinical Research Center/Sims Obesity Nutrition Research Center at the University of Vermont.

Statistical analysis: t Tests, paired t tests, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, pairwise comparison to show relative bias and limits of agreement, and regression analysis were used to test the relationships among study variables.

Results: No difference was found between 3-day mean energy intake and total energy expenditure for the group (t = 2.07, P = .65). The correlation between individual measures of energy intake and total energy expenditure was not statistically significant (r = .25, P = .24).

Conclusions: Data from 3 days of multiple-pass 24-hour recalls were sufficient to make valid group estimates of energy intake. The method was not precise for individual measurements of energy intake.