A Pilot Study of the Effects of Interview Content, Retention Interval, and Grade on Accuracy of Dietary Information From Children

ObjectiveInvestigate differences in dietary recall accuracy by interview content (diet only or diet and physical activity), retention interval (same day or previous day), and grade (third or fifth).MethodsThirty-two children observed eating school-provided meals and interviewed once each; interview content and retention interval randomly assigned. Multivariate analysis of variance on rates for omissions (foods observed but unreported) and intrusions (foods reported but unobserved); independent variables: interview content, retention interval, grade.ResultsAccuracy differed by retention interval (P = .05; better for same day [omission rate, intrusion rate: 28%, 20%] than previous day [54%, 45%]) but not interview content (P > .48; diet only: 41%, 33%; diet and physical activity: 41%, 33%) or grade (P > .27; third: 48%, 42%; fifth: 34%, 24%).Conclusions and ImplicationsAlthough the small sample limits firm conclusions, results provide evidence-based direction to enhance accuracy: specifically, to shorten the retention interval. Larger validation studies need to investigate the combined effect of interview content, retention interval, and grade on accuracy.