A food frequency questionnaire for use in Chinese populations and its validation

There is no gold standard in the assessment of individual dietary intake methodology. The choice of dietary method to estimate individual intake depends upon the study objectives for the assessment of individual intake. We adopted a food frequency questionnaire and modified it for use in a study of food habits and cardiovascular health status in adult Chinese living in Melbourne. Australia. This is a semi-quantitative questionnaire (MCHS-FFQ) and is designed to estimate past food intake. It consists of 220 foods and beverages. A reference portion is given to obtain a quantitative estimate of the usual intake portion. Various internal validation tests were performed. The MCHS-FFQ, being a food frequency dietary method, does not provide a good estimate of nutrients in foods which are not served in standard portions. such as sodium. The MCHS-FFQ offered a good estimate for potassium and protein intake when compared to estimates derived from a single 24-h urine collection. Finally, the MCHS-FFQ was predictive of plasma cholesterol levels. We conclude that the MCHS-FFQ is adequate for the assessment of individual usual food and nutrient intakes in a representative sample of adult Melbourne Chinese. For foods that are not served in a standard portion or quantifiable addition, an alternative more reliable method would be required for quantitative purposes. The method is. however, likely to be useful for the appraisal of overall food patterns in Chinese populations.