A FOOD FREQUENCY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR USE IN THE CHINESE POPULATION IN HONG-KONG - DESCRIPTION AND EXAMINATION OF VALIDITY

A food frequency questionnaire consisting of seven categories of food types and 266 food items was developed for a dietary survey of the Hon g Kong Chinese population. The quantity, frequency of consumption per day and per week for each item was recorded with the aid of photograph s to illustrate portion sizes, and nutrient quantity calculated using Food Tables from multiple sources - UK and two mainland Chinese instit utions. The validity of the nutrient quantitation was examined by comp aring calculated 24 hour intake of total energy, sodium, and potassium , with estimated values of energy expenditure (BMR x 1.4), 24h urinary sodium and potassium outputs. Apart from probable underestimation of sodium and potassium intake, calculated values for energy were close t o estimated values. Associations were also present between energy inta ke, cholesterol, fat, and fatty acid intakes, and serum lipid profile. It is concluded that this questionnaire is suitable for dietary surve ys in Hong Kong Chinese and may be used for quantitation of nutrient i ntakes in studies examining dietary components as risk factors. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Inc.