Positive Health Online

Abstract

CRAIG and colleagues, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109 USA studied how days with atypical food intake affect estimates of usual nutrient intake from 4-day food records.

Background

Methodology

The authors collected secondary analyses of 4-day food records (4DFRs) (n = 2560) collected from 1090 women aged 50 to 79 years, from the Womens Trial Feasibility study in Minority Populations, a randomized dietary intervention trial. Food records were considered as atypical if participants marked one or more days food intake as more or less than usual. Total amounts and nutrient densities were examined for all macronutrients, fibre, vitamin C, beta-carotene and calcium. A number of statistical analyses were carried out to identify differences between nutrient intake between typical and atypical intake days.

Results

About 16% of records included at least 1 atypical day. Reporting less-than-usual intake was associated with younger age, higher income and higher body mass index. Black women were less likely to report more-than-usual intake than whites and Hispanics. Records with less-than-usual intake had lower intakes of all nutrients analyzed except alcohol; however there were nutrient density differences. Records with more-than-usual intake had higher intakes of alcohol and all nutrients except beta-carotene and vitamin C, with higher nutrient density measures of alcohol and decreased nutrient density measures of protein, vitamin C and fibre.

Conclusion

Atypical intake days are common in 4DFRs, which have a large effect upon mean total intakes of most nutrients. It is important for researchers to collect information regarding atypical intake days included in a 4-day food record. Strategies are required to incorporate such information when analyzing and interpreting research results.

References

Craig MR et al. The prevalence and impact of atypical days in 4-day food records. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 100(4): 421-7. Apr 2000.