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Title: Eating patterns of children in the Delta: Developing a child food frequency questionnaire for this rural impoverished population

Author
item CHAMPAGNE, CATHERINE - PENNINGTON BIOMED RES CTR
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item STRICKLAND, EARLINE - DELTA NIRI
item STUFF, JANICE - CNRC
item CONNELL, CAROL - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2007
Publication Date: 5/2/2007
Citation: Champagne, C.M., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Strickland, E., Stuff, J.E., Connell, C.L., Bogle, M.L. 2007. Eating patterns of children in the Delta: Developing a child food frequency questionnaire for this rural impoverished population [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 21(6):lb221.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The epidemic of obesity and health risks for children currently present challenges in estimating food intakes and developing appropriate interventions. Obtaining eating patterns is important. No child food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are specific to the Delta. Food intake data collected previously resulted in a validated Delta NIRI Adult FFQ. Since interventions for obesity prevention target children, the adult FFQ needed modification for children and evaluation for appropriate wording, categories, and consumption frequencies. Children’s food intakes from Delta NIRI regional surveys yielded specific food data and associated nutrient information to construct a database for analysis. The instrument was piloted with 70 sixth grade students in the region. Only 46 (66%) subjects reported weight and height; 39% (n=18) were above the 85th percentile, while 2 (4%) were under the 15th percentile. Instrument length led to possible misreporting. Consumed most were luncheon meats/sausages, desserts/sweets,snacks, and cold cereals. Refined sugar drinks exceeded milk intake. French fry consumption exceeded other vegetables. Fruit juices/fruit were low. The FFQ is undergoing revision to reduce frequency choices, eliminating foods not reported and targeting perhaps specific food interventions as opposed to total diet. FFQs specific to targeted intakes may be more practical, resulting in more valuable data.