Lubin F, Chetrit A, Lusky A, Modan M
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Israel.
Nutr Cancer. 1998;30(1):78-82. doi: 10.1080/01635589809514645.
The effects of methodology on the results of epidemiologic studies that involve collection of nutritional data, especially those involving long-term-onset illnesses such as cancer, have not yet been carefully evaluated. We present methodological features of a quantitative dietary history and physical activity questionnaire and discuss their contribution to the final results. The results of our analysis are as follows: 1) Forty-seven percent of the population consumed > 100 food items yearly. 2) The mean number of calories contributed by items eaten less than once a week exceeded 200 kcal/day in 50% of interviewees. 3) Seventy-six percent of the patients had undergone dietary changes during the course of adult life. Of the 379 individuals who reported no changes when asked general questions, 61.8% reported changes when asked specifically about each food item in the questionnaire. 4) Physical activity was significantly correlated with mean daily energy intake (r = 0.208, p < 0.001). We conclude that certain methodological features of questionnaires, such as extensive listing of food items, precise documentation of food quantity, inquiries about former eating habits, and inclusion of questions about physical activity, increase accuracy in evaluations of dietary habits. Our analysis provides practical information for future planning of nutritional questionnaires.
方法学对涉及营养数据收集的流行病学研究结果的影响，尤其是对那些涉及癌症等长期发病疾病的研究，尚未得到仔细评估。我们介绍了一份定量饮食史和身体活动问卷的方法学特点，并讨论了它们对最终结果的贡献。我们的分析结果如下：1）47%的人群每年食用超过100种食物。2）在50%的受访者中，每周食用次数少于一次的食物所提供的平均热量超过200千卡/天。3）76%的患者在成年期经历过饮食变化。在被问及一般性问题时报告没有变化的379人中，当被具体问及问卷中的每种食物时，61.8%的人报告有变化。4）身体活动与每日平均能量摄入显著相关（r = 0.208，p < 0.001）。我们得出结论，问卷的某些方法学特点，如广泛列出食物项目、精确记录食物数量、询问既往饮食习惯以及纳入有关身体活动的问题，可提高饮食习惯评估的准确性。我们的分析为未来营养问卷的设计提供了实用信息。
