Validation of the FRESH Austin food frequency questionnaire using multiple 24-h dietary recalls

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine the validity of an FFQ utilised in the Food Retail: Evaluating Strategies for a Healthy Austin (FRESH Austin) study, designed to evaluate changes in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) in diverse low-income communities in Austin, TX. Design: The FRESH Austin FFQ was validated against three 24-h dietary recalls (24hDR). All dietary assessments were administered (in-person or by telephone) by trained investigators. Setting: Recruitment was conducted at sites within the geographic areas targeted in the FRESH Austin recruitment. People at a community health clinic, a local health centre and a YMCA within the intervention area were approached by trained and certified data collectors, and invited to participate. Participants: Among fifty-six participants, 83 % were female, 46 % were non-White, 24 % had income < $25 K/year and 30 % spoke only/mostly Spanish at home. Results: The FFQ and average of three 24hDR produce similar estimates of average total servings/d across FV (6 center dot 68 and 6 center dot 40 servings/d, respectively). Correlations produced measures from 0 center dot 01 for 'Potatoes' and 0 center dot 59 for 'Other Vegetables'. Mean absolute percentage errors values were small for all FV, suggesting the variance of the error estimates was also small. Bland-Altman plots indicate acceptable levels of agreement between the two methods. Conclusion: These outcomes indicate that the FRESH FFQ is a valid instrument for assessing FV consumption. The validation of the FRESH Austin FFQ provides important insights for evaluating community-based efforts to increase FV consumption in diverse populations.