A rapid beverage intake questionnaire can detect changes in beverage intake

Attention on beverage intake, specifically sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), has increased in recent years. A brief valid, reliable and sensitive assessment tool for quantifying beverage consumption and determining its influence on weight status could help to advance research on this topic. The valid and reliable 15-item beverage questionnaire (BEVQ-15) estimates mean daily intake of water, SSB and total beverages (g, kcal) across multiple beverage categories. Objective: to determine the ability of the BEVQ-15 to detect changes in beverage intake over time. Participants (n = 70; age = 37 ± 2 yr; BMI = 24.5 ± 0.4 kg/m2) underwent two randomly assigned 30-day periods (intervention, increased water and fruit juice consumption; control, increased solid fruit consumption), with a 30-day washout phase between feeding periods. The BEVQ-15 was administered at the beginning and end of each period. Reliability was assessed by Pearson's correlations, paired sample t tests and Cronbach's alpha. Paired sample t tests and repeated measures ANOVA were used to evaluate sensitivity to change. Sixty-nine participants completed all study sessions. Reliability was acceptable for most beverages (range: R2 = 0.52–0.95, P < 0.001), but not for energy drinks. Increases in water (g), juice (kcal, g) and total beverage (g) were detected during the intervention period (P < 0.001); no changes in these variables were detected in the control period. The BEVQ-15 demonstrates the ability to detect changes in beverage intake over time. This brief (~ 2 min), self-administered, valid, reliable and sensitive beverage intake assessment tool may be used by researchers and practitioners who evaluate and intervene upon beverage intake patterns in adults.

► The BEVQ-15 estimates mean daily intake (g, kcal) of multiple beverage categories.
► The BEVQ-15 is a brief, self-administered, valid and reliable questionnaire.
► The BEVQ-15 demonstrates the ability to detect changes in beverage intake over time.
► It may be used by those who evaluate and intervene upon beverage intake patterns.