Comparison of self-report of reduced fat and salt foods with sales and supply data.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the validity of self-reported use of reduced fat and reduced salt foods.

DESIGN

Compare data collected in a food frequency questionnaire with supermarket sales data and food supply data.

SETTING

Rural Australia.

SUBJECTS

Four hundred and fifty-three respondents from an original sample of 1616 randomly-selected residents.

INTERVENTIONS

Community health campaign to reduce cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Reported use of reduced fat and reduced salt foods was greater than store sales and milk deliveries of these products.

CONCLUSIONS

External data did not support the validity of self-reported use of these products.