Recall strategies used by respondents to complete a food frequency questionnaire: an exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to identify strategies used to recall dietary intake on a food frequency questionnaire by adults in a multiethnic sample. One-on-one interviews were conducted to identify strategies used to recall intake on the Fred Hutchinson Food Frequency Questionnaire. Twenty-eight men and 26 women in San Diego, CA (average age, 41 years), were recruited from the general community with approximately equal numbers of non-Hispanic white, African-American, and English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic participants. Recall of food intake was most commonly guided by routines. Recall strategies differed primarily by food type and not by ethnic or sex groups. Each of nine food categories on the questionnaire was associated with a distinct pattern of recall strategies. The recall strategies identified in this study may serve as cues to be included on food frequency questionnaires to aid recall and thus improve accuracy of self-reported dietary intake.