The Cardio-Med survey tool: development and pilot validation of a FFQ in a multicultural cardiology cohort.

Objective: (i) Describe the development of a multipurpose Cardio-Med survey tool (CMST) comprising a semi-quantitative FFQ designed to measure dietary intake in multicultural patients with or at high risk of CVD and (ii) report pilot evaluation of test-retest reliability and validity of the FFQ in measuring energy and nutrient intakes. Design: The CMST was developed to identify CVD risk factors and assess diet quality over 1 year using an FFQ. Design of the ninety-three-item FFQ involved developing food portion photographs, and a list of foods appropriate for the Australian multicultural population allowing the capture of adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern. The FFQ was administered twice, 2 weeks apart to assess test-retest reliability, whilst validity was assessed by comparison of the FFQ with a 3-d food record (3DFR). Setting: The Northern Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Thirty-eight participants aged 34-81 years with CVD or at high risk. Results: Test-retest reliability of the FFQ was good: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0 center dot 52 (Na) to 0 center dot 88 (alcohol) (mean 0 center dot 79), with energy and 70 % of measured nutrients being above 0 center dot 75. Validity was moderate: ICC ranged from 0 center dot 08 (Na) to 0 center dot 94 (alcohol) (mean 0 center dot 59), with energy and 85 % of measured nutrients being above 0 center dot 5. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated good levels of agreement between the FFQ and 3DFR for carbohydrates, protein, alcohol, vitamin D and Na. Conclusions: The CMST FFQ demonstrated good test-retest reliability and moderate validity for measuring dietary energy and nutrients in a multicultural Australian cardiology population.