Development of the Iowa bone nutrient food frequency questionnaire based on data from the US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of the Food Intake by Individuals

An easily-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)/dietary screener was developed for current (adult) and retrospective (adolescent) intakes of nutrients important for bone development and maintenance. This tool quantified serving sizes and nutrients from foods using gender- and age-specific techniques. Nutrients of interest were calcium, vitamin D, caffeine and alcohol, and 15 categories of foods were selected for inclusion based on frequency of intake and nutrient density. Calcium-contributing foods were selected from published dietary intake assessment tools. Foods contributing vitamin D, caffeine and alcohol were selected based on nutrient density and Midwest consumption practices. Serving sizes were quantified in standard serving units or as small, medium and large servings. Food items selected for the FFQ/dietary screener were matched to foods from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). Calcium, caffeine and alcohol values were assigned using CSFII data files at median values per 100 g intake. CSFII midpoint tertile frequency of intake values for males and females 14–18 and 25–45 years old were used to establish serving weights for small, medium and large servings. CSFII data files provide an efficient way for estimating typical intakes, serving sizes and nutrient values for target groups. Age- and gender-derived data provided realistic estimates of nutrient intakes when using FFQ/dietary screener assessment method.