[Evaluation of the calcium content of diet by frequential self-questionnaire]

A frequential type self-questionnaire enabling evaluation of the calcium content of the diet of an individual as well as of a given population was designed on the basis of 20 different types of food (items) rich in calcium and/or frequently eaten in metropolitan France. Comparison with the weekly docket system, chosen as a reference method, validated the self-questionnaire. Similarity with the weekly docket method disappeared when the size of portions was left to one side, drinks were eliminated or only dairy products were taken into account. The self-questionnaire with its 20 items thus offers a simple and rapid method for estimation of the daily calcium intake of a given individual to within an accuracy of 20% and as result is a dietetic evaluation technique suitable for both clinical and epidemiological use.