[The validation of qualitative nutritional indicators: the Guttman Scale vs the customary diet].

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and feasibility of using the Guttman Scale as an indicator of usual dietary intake. Validation was done by comparing the results of dietary intake of a population obtained by using the Guttman Scale with a well-known method for evaluating dietary intake: the dietary history (one week). The study was done in seven communities in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Results from this study showed a weak correlation between the Guttman Scale with socioeconomic status and nutritional status. However, the results obtained with the dietary history method had a significant relationship with socioeconomic status and nutritional status. The conclusions are that the Guttman Scale has limitations when it is used as an alternative to the dietary history method for evaluating the total caloric intake, though it can be useful to determine dietary patterns of the individual.