Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago
Background: Trinidad and Tobago is home to a multiethnic population, each with distinct dietary traditions. Given this diversity, it is essential to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that captures the local food items that contribute to the nation’s unique dietary culture. Objectives: Th...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Current Developments in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125029610 |
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| author | Lesley Ann Foster-Nicholas Patricia Dyett Celine Heskey David Shavlik Gina Siapco |
| author_facet | Lesley Ann Foster-Nicholas Patricia Dyett Celine Heskey David Shavlik Gina Siapco |
| author_sort | Lesley Ann Foster-Nicholas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Trinidad and Tobago is home to a multiethnic population, each with distinct dietary traditions. Given this diversity, it is essential to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that captures the local food items that contribute to the nation’s unique dietary culture. Objectives: This study aims to assess the reproducibility and validity of a semiquantitative FFQ to estimate nutrient intake in the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago. Methods: A 139-item semiquantitative electronic food frequency questionnaire (e-FFQ), developed using Google Forms, captured culture-specific foods commonly consumed in Trinidad and Tobago. The self-administered e-FFQ was distributed to 91 participants aged 18 and older, with 2 administrations 3 mo apart. The first administration of the e-FFQ was validated against the weighted mean of 4 food records with digital images as the reference method. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26 to assess validity and reproducibility through paired t-tests, correlations, and cross-classification. Results: Participants had a mean age of 38 ± 9.6 y, with 22% male and 78% female. Correlations between the e-FFQ and food records ranged from moderate (r = 0.59 for vitamin C) to high (r = 0.83 for carbohydrates). Cross-classification agreements varied from 69% for cholesterol to 89% for fiber and vitamin A. Energy-adjusted correlations averaged r = 0.37, ranging from r = 0.22 for polyunsaturated fatty acids to r = 0.67 for cholesterol. Cross-classification indicated that 61% of e-FFQ estimates were correctly classified within ±1 quintile. Conclusions: The culture-specific e-FFQ demonstrates strong reproducibility and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing nutrient intake in Trinidad and Tobago’s adult population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1ca364c077bb4166ba0f89e0af79b5de |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2475-2991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Developments in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-1ca364c077bb4166ba0f89e0af79b5de2025-08-24T05:13:56ZengElsevierCurrent Developments in Nutrition2475-29912025-08-019810750010.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107500Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and TobagoLesley Ann Foster-Nicholas0Patricia Dyett1Celine Heskey2David Shavlik3Gina Siapco4Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States; Corresponding author.Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & TobagoSchool of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United StatesSchool of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United StatesSchool of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United StatesBackground: Trinidad and Tobago is home to a multiethnic population, each with distinct dietary traditions. Given this diversity, it is essential to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that captures the local food items that contribute to the nation’s unique dietary culture. Objectives: This study aims to assess the reproducibility and validity of a semiquantitative FFQ to estimate nutrient intake in the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago. Methods: A 139-item semiquantitative electronic food frequency questionnaire (e-FFQ), developed using Google Forms, captured culture-specific foods commonly consumed in Trinidad and Tobago. The self-administered e-FFQ was distributed to 91 participants aged 18 and older, with 2 administrations 3 mo apart. The first administration of the e-FFQ was validated against the weighted mean of 4 food records with digital images as the reference method. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26 to assess validity and reproducibility through paired t-tests, correlations, and cross-classification. Results: Participants had a mean age of 38 ± 9.6 y, with 22% male and 78% female. Correlations between the e-FFQ and food records ranged from moderate (r = 0.59 for vitamin C) to high (r = 0.83 for carbohydrates). Cross-classification agreements varied from 69% for cholesterol to 89% for fiber and vitamin A. Energy-adjusted correlations averaged r = 0.37, ranging from r = 0.22 for polyunsaturated fatty acids to r = 0.67 for cholesterol. Cross-classification indicated that 61% of e-FFQ estimates were correctly classified within ±1 quintile. Conclusions: The culture-specific e-FFQ demonstrates strong reproducibility and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing nutrient intake in Trinidad and Tobago’s adult population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125029610nutrient intakesfood frequency questionnaireTrinidad and Tobagovalidationreproducibility |
| spellingShingle | Lesley Ann Foster-Nicholas Patricia Dyett Celine Heskey David Shavlik Gina Siapco Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago Current Developments in Nutrition nutrient intakes food frequency questionnaire Trinidad and Tobago validation reproducibility |
| title | Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago |
| title_full | Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago |
| title_short | Integrating Technology and Culture: Smartphone Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Nutrient Intake Estimates in the Adult Population of Trinidad and Tobago |
| title_sort | integrating technology and culture smartphone validation of a food frequency questionnaire for nutrient intake estimates in the adult population of trinidad and tobago |
| topic | nutrient intakes food frequency questionnaire Trinidad and Tobago validation reproducibility |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125029610 |
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