Biomarker-based validity of a food frequency questionnaire estimating intake in Brazilian children and adolescents
Elaine Hillesheim, Roselí Borges Donegá Toffano, Tamiris Trevisan de Barros, Roberta Garcia Salomão, Mariana Giaretta Mathias, Carolina de Almeida Coelho‐Landell, Maria Olímpia Ribeiro do Vale Almada, Joyce Moraes Camarneiro, José Simon Camelo‐Junior, Fábio da Veiga Ued, Esther Campos-Giménez, Karine Redeuil, Maria Pilar Giner, François‐Pierre Martin, Ivan Montoliu, Sofia Moco, Jim Kaput, Jacqueline Pontes Monteiro
Abstract
This study evaluated the validity of nutrient and food group intakes estimated by an FFQ against biomarkers. A 71-item semiquantitative FFQ was administered to 210 Brazilian children and adolescents aged 9-13 years. Intakes were correlated with biomarkers in plasma and red blood cells. Correlations between nutrients and their biomarkers were presented for animal protein, myristic acid (C14:0), EPA, DHA, β-carotene, folate, and vitamins B3, B5 and B6. Food groups and biomarkers were correlated as follows: fish products with EPA and DHA; milk and dairy with C14:0, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and vitamin B12; total vegetables and dark green and orange vegetables with β-carotene; 5-methyltetrahydrofolate with green vegetables; and flour products with para-aminobenzoylglutamic acid. This FFQ is a valid tool for ranking Brazilian children and adolescents according to their intake of several nutrients and food groups.