Background Assessing the diets of children presents unique methodological c
hallenges. Validity and reliability studies of recalls, records, food frequ
ency questionnaires (FFQs), diet histories, and observations among children
were reviewed.
Methods, Forty-seven studies were published in peer-reviewed English journa
ls between January 1970 and April 1999 of children 5-18 years of age with a
sample size of at least 30,
Results. Most of the 24-h recall validation studies assessed only a portion
of the day, not a 24-h period, with higher agreements for meal versus comp
lete day intake. Food records underestimated energy intake when compared to
doubly labeled water. Few studies evaluated children's ability to complete
records alone or to record an entire day. FFQs overestimated energy intake
; however, validation standards may have over- or underestimated intake or
used different referent periods. Reliability studies were identified for FF
Qs and diet history; results showed higher energy intake in first compared
to subsequent administrations. Limited data were available on age, ethnicit
y, and gender effects.
Conclusions. Correlations between the validation standard and dietary metho
d were generally higher for recalls and records than FFQs, It was difficult
to generalize the validity and reliability results of dietary assessment m
ethods because of discrepancies in study design, referent periods, and vali
dation standards. (C) 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.