Comparison of different approaches to calculate nutrient intakes based upon 24‑h recall data derived from a multicenter study in European adolescents

The European "Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence" (HELENA) project evaluated two different approaches to harmonize the matching procedures between 24-h recall data and food composition databases. In the first approach, the 24-h recall data were linked to the local/national food composition databases using standardized procedures, while in the second approach, the 24-h recall data were linked to the German BLS database which includes a larger food list. The aim of this paper was to compare the intakes of energy and eight nutrient components calculated via both approaches. Two non-consecutive 24-h recalls were performed in 1268 adolescents. Energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber, water, alcohol, calcium and vitamin C were calculated via the two approaches at individual level. Paired samples t test and Pearson's correlations were used to compare the mean intakes of energy and the eight mentioned nutrients and to investigate the possible associations between the two approaches. Small but significant differences were found between the intakes of energy and the eight food components when comparing both approaches. Very strong and strong correlations (0.70-0.95) were found between both methods for all nutrients. The dietary intakes obtained via the two different linking procedures are highly correlated for energy and the eight nutrients under study

Evaluation of food and nutrient intake assessment using concentration biomarkers in European adolescents from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study

Accurate food and nutrient intake assessment is essential for investigating diet-disease relationships. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate food and nutrient intake assessment obtained from a FFQ and 24-hour recalls (mean of two recalls) respectively, and compared with concentration biomarkers. Biomarkers included were vitamin C, β-carotene, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin B12 (cobalamin and holo-transcobalamin) and folate (erythrocyte folate and plasmafolate). For the food intake assessment evaluation 390 European adolescents were included while 697 for the nutrient intake assessment evaluation. Except for DHA+EPA status versus fish intake, highest correlations were found between food consumption frequencies and mean food intakes (r=0.51 for fruits and r=0.29 for vegetables). Correlations were higher between frequency of food consumption and concentration biomarkers than between mean food intake and concentration biomarkers, especially for EPA+DHA (r=0.35 vs. r=0.27). Most correlations were higher among girls than boys. For boys, highest validity coefficients were found for frequency of fruit consumption (0.88) and for DHA+EPA biomarker (%) (0.71). In girls the highest validity coefficients were found for fruit consumption frequency (0.76), vegetable consumption frequency (0.74), mean fruit intake (0.90) and DHA+EPA biomarker (%) (0.69). After exclusion of underreporters correlations slightly improved. Correlations between usual food intakes, adjusted for food consumption frequency, and concentration biomarkers were higher than correlations between mean food intakes and concentration biomarkers. In conclusion, two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls in combination with a FFQ seem to be appropriate to rank subjects according to their usual food intake. Exclusion of underreporters might be beneficial