RESUMO
Background: The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is usually used in epidemiological studies to assess food consumption. However, the FFQ must have good accuracy, requiring its validation and reproducibility for the target population. Thus, this study aimed to describe the construction of the online Food Frequency Questionnaire (oFFQ) used at the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project, Brazil) and evaluate its validity and reproducibility. Methods: The oFFQ was answered two times in 1 year (March/August 2018-March/April 2019; n = 108 participants-reproducibility), and four 24-h dietary recalls (24hRs) were applied in two seasons of the southern hemisphere [two 24hRs in autumn (March/June 2018) and two 24hRs in winter (August/September 2018); n = 146 participants-validity]. To assess the validity and reproducibility, the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were estimated. Results: The oFFQ had 144 food items separated into eight groups (dairy products; meat and fish; cereals and legumes; fruits; vegetables; fats and oils; drinks; other foods). In assessing the validity, ICCs for energy and macronutrients were considered moderate, ranging from 0.41 (energy) to 0.59 (protein), while the ICCs for micronutrients were considered low to moderate, ranging from 0.25 (fibers) to 0.65 (vitamin B6). Regarding reproducibility assessment, ICCs for energy and all the assessed items were considered moderate to excellent, ranging from 0.60 (vegetables) to 0.91 (vitamin E and retinol). Conclusions: The self-reported oFFQ had satisfactory validity and reproducibility. So, it can be used to analyze the association between food consumption and chronic diseases in the participants of the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project-Brazil).
RESUMO
A avaliação do consumo alimentar tem sido comumente utilizada em estudos epidemiológicos uma vez que se correlaciona com determinantes da saúde e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. No entanto, inúmeros são os desafios referentes a este processo, incluindo a acurácia dos instrumentos de coleta de dados, como o questionário de frequência alimentar (QFA). Objetivos: Descrever a construção do Questionário de Frequência Alimentar (QFA) online utilizado na Coorte de Universidades Mineiras (CUME) e avaliar a sua validade e reprodutibilidade. Métodos: A construção do QFA foi baseada em versão original previamente validada para população brasileira, adicionado de um álbum fotográfico. O QFA foi respondido duas vezes em um ano (março a agosto de 2018; março a abril de 2019; n = 108 participantes - reprodutibilidade) e dois recordatórios alimentares de 24 horas (R24h) foram aplicados em duas estações do hemisfério sul em 2018 (outono e inverno; n = 150 participantes - validade), totalizando quatro R24h por participante. Para avaliação da validade e reprodutibilidade foi aplicado o teste de correlação intraclasse (CCI) e calculados percentuais de concordância dos consumos energético total, de nutrientes e de grupos alimentares (similaridade nutricional e grau de processamento industrial) após categorização por tercis. Resultados: O QFA elaborado possui 144 itens alimentares, separados em oito grupos (lácteos; carnes e peixes; cereais e leguminosas; frutas; hortaliças e legumes; gorduras e óleos; bebidas; outros alimentos), 96 fotografias de alimentos e 5 fotografias de utensílios. Na avaliação da validade, CCI de energia e de macronutrientes foram considerados moderados, variando de 0,41 (energia) a 0,59 (proteína); para os demais itens avaliados, CCI foram considerados baixos a moderados, variando de 0,25 (fibras) a 0,65 (vitamina B6). Todos os percentuais de concordância exata + adjacente foram superiores a 80%. Na avaliação da reprodutibilidade, CCI de energia e de todos itens avaliados foram considerados moderados a excelentes, variando de 0,60 (hortaliças e legumes) a 0,91 (vitamina E e retinol), com percentual médio de concordância exata + adjacente de 92,5%. Conclusão: O QFA online e autopreenchido do projeto CUME possui validade e reprodutibilidade satisfatórias, podendo ser usado para analisar a associação entre o consumo alimentar e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adultos com elevado nível de escolaridade.
Food consumption evaluation has been commonly used in epidemiological studies since it correlates with health and chronic non-communicable diseases. Objectives: To describe the construction of the online Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used at CUME (Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais, Brazil) and evaluate its validity and reproducibility. Methods: FFQ construction was based on an original version previously validated for the Brazilian population, together with a photographic album. The FFQ was answered twice in one year (March/August 2018 March/April 2019; n = 108 participants reproducibility) and two 24-hour dietary recall (24hR) were applied in two seasons of the southern hemisphere in 2018 (autumn and winter; n = 150 participants validity), totaling four 24hR per participant. To assess the validity and reproducibility, the intraclass correlation test (ICC) was applied and agreement percentages of total energy consumption, nutrients and food groups (nutritional similarity and industrial processing degree) were calculated after categorization by tertiles. Results: The elaborated FFQ had 144 food items separated into eight groups (dairy products; meat and fish; cereals and legumes; fruits; vegetables; fats and oils; drinks; other foods), 96 photographs of food and 5 photographs of utensils. In assessing validity, ICCs for energy and macronutrients were considered moderate, ranging from 0.41 (energy) to 0.59 (protein); for the other items evaluated, ICCs were considered low to moderate, ranging from 0.25 (fibers) to 0.65 (vitamin B6). All percentages of exact + adjacent agreement were greater than 80%. In assessing reproducibility, ICCs for energy and all assessed items were considered moderate to excellent, ranging from 0.60 (vegetables) to 0.91 (vitamin E and retinol), with an average exact + adjacent agreement percentage of 92.5%. Conclusion: CUME project's online and selfcompleted FFQ had satisfactory validity and reproducibility, and can be used to analyze the association between food consumption and chronic non-communicable diseases in adults with a high level of education.
