The relative validity of the repeated 24 h recall for estimating energy and selected nutrient intakes of rural Ghanaian children.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relative validity of the 24 h recall for rural southern Ghanaian children.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, in which food consumption was estimated for the same two days, using the recall and weighed record dietary techniques.

SETTING

Two villages in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

SUBJECTS

72 rural children (39 females and 33 males; 56.2 +/- 9.4 months).

RESULTS

Overall agreement in the number of foods reported was noted for 42% of records; 53% of recalls under-reported and 5% over-reported the number of foods consumed. Over 65% of snacks compared to less than 6% of main meal foods were missed on recalls. Average recalled portions were similar to weighed with the exception of cereal staples; for Slepor 250 g vs 295 g, P = 0.007 and for Gidantuba 272 g vs 260 g, P = 0.02. Average daily recalled intakes of energy and most nutrients were lower (P < or = 0.05) than weighted intakes in Slepor, but similar in Gidantuba. In both villages, the recalled and weighted nutrient intakes per MJ, and percentage energy from food groups, were similar. Intraclass correlations between recalled and weighed intakes ranged from 0.06 (energy) to 0.78 (vitamin A) per day, and per MJ from 0.36 to 0.76 for Fe in Gidantuba and Slepor, respectively. Less than 35% of recalled energy and nutrient intakes were within +/- 10% of weighed intakes.

CONCLUSIONS

The recall could be substituted for the weighted record to estimate average intakes of energy and most nutrients, dietary quality and food consumption patterns, provided the average recalled serving of cereal staples was accurately estimated. For assessment of individual intakes or snack consumption, however, the recall technique was invalid.

SPONSORSHIP

The International Development Research Centre and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.