Using Recall Cues to Improve Measurement of Dietary Intakes with a Food Frequency Questionnaire in an Ethnically Diverse Population: An Exploratory Study

ObjectiveIntakes of foods based on responses to a revised food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and the original Fred Hutchinson FFQ were compared. Revisions included the addition of foods (eg, corn tortillas), disaggregation of line items (eg, cookies vs cakes), replacing unfamiliar terms in the Spanish-language version, a food glossary, and written cues to help respondents recall their food intake.DesignAdult men (46%) and women (n=105) of non-Hispanic African-American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white background (age range 30 to 60 years) completed two FFQs within a 1-month reference period. Participants were randomly assigned to receive the revised FFQ or Fred Hutchinson FFQ first. Primary outcome measures were frequency rates weighted by portion size for 34 foods and beverages.AnalysesFrequencies of food intake on the original and revised FFQs were estimated using robust means and compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.ResultsSignificantly greater (P<0.05) dietary recall was obtained on the revised FFQ, on items in which foods were added or disaggregated, on traditionally Hispanic foods among Hispanic participants, and foods listed in the glossary.ConclusionsRevisions in the Fred Hutchinson FFQ resulted in significantly greater dietary recall. Despite increased length, participants believed that the food glossary and written cues were helpful in completing the revised FFQ.