Methodological Approaches for Dietary Intake Assessment in Formula-fed Infants

Luque, Veronica, Escribano, Joaquin, Mendez-Riera, Georgina, Schiess, Sonia, Koletzko, Berthold, Verduci, Elvira, Stolarczyk, Anna, Martin, Francoise and Closa-Monasterolo, Ricardo (March 2013): Methodological Approaches for Dietary Intake Assessment in Formula-fed Infants. In: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Vol. 56, No. 3: pp. 320-327

Abstract

Background and Objective: The estimation of dietary intake remains a challenge in human nutritional studies. In infants, the use of food diaries (FDs) is a suitable method already validated; however, this method is not exempt from error. In formula-fed infants, dilution of powdered formulas may produce errors. Our aim was to develop and validate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the assessment of dietary intake in formula-fed infants, attending potential sources of error. Methods: We analysed sources of error in a random subsample of 3-day FDs from 100 infants enrolled in the European Childhood Obesity Project. Calculations to estimate intakes were standardised and included in a software tool (SOPsystem). An evaluation of a simulated FD was performed by 9 trained nutritionists and 23 nutrition students (n = 225 and n = 575 bottle evaluations, respectively) to compare the results obtained when using or not the SOPsystem. Correct answers (%), coefficients of variation, and the time spent (minutes) to assess the simulated FD were analysed. Results: Overall, 60% of the FDs contained reports of incorrect volumes, and 37% reported incorrect formula dilutions. When the SOPsystem was used, correct answers in the simulated FD were more frequent (P < 0.001) and the mean coefficient of variation and the time spent were lower (P < 0.005 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The development and implementation of SOPs with a software tool that identifies specific sources of error in record-keeping achieved a harmonised and improved process for assessing dietary intakes in formula-fed infants, minimising errors in calculations and reducing the work time invested.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: dietary intake assessment; infant feeding; infant formula; multicentre trials; validation study
• Faculties: Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Pediatric Clinic and Outpatient Clinic in the Dr. von Hauner Children‘s Hospital
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0277-2116
• Place of Publication: 530 WALNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106-3621 USA
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English