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Assessment of nutrient intakes of picky-eating Chinese preschoolers using a modified food frequency questionnaire

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Abstract

Background

Dietary assessment is crucial for monitoring nutritional status of young children. This study applied a modified Chinese food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess nutrient intakes of young picky-eating Hong Kong children.

Methods

Nutrient intakes were obtained by FFQ and 3-day food record (3DFR) in 29 picky-eating children aged 44.8±9.2 months who participated in a randomised controlled trial of a new milk formula.

Results

When compared with 3DFR, FFQ over-reported energy intake by 283 kcal (26.5%) at baseline and 237 kcal (21.4%) at end-of-study, and also overestimated intakes of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. At baseline, FFQ and 3DFR classified 34.4%–65.5% of subjects into the same tertiles for most nutrients. These methods showed weak-to-moderate agreement in measuring most nutrients, with 3DFR showing a trend towards a systematic increase in the differences with increasing nutrient intake.

Conclusion

Our FFQ shows promising results for assessing nutrient intakes in picky-eating Chinese preschoolers.

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Correspondence to Ting-Fan Leung.

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Kwok, F.YY., Ho, Y.YF., Chow, CM. et al. Assessment of nutrient intakes of picky-eating Chinese preschoolers using a modified food frequency questionnaire. World J Pediatr 9, 58–63 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-012-0386-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-012-0386-9

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