Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219324
Title: DASH for Health: Validation of Web-based 24-Hour Recall Questionnaire Designed for a Lifestyle Modification Program

Author
item APOVIAN, CAROLINE - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item CULLUM-DUGAN, DIANA - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item MURPHY, MEGAN - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item MEYERS, KATE - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item COFFMAN, JERRY - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item JENKINS, MARK - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
item BAKUN, PETER - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item Tucker, Katherine

Submitted to: Annual Scientific Meeting NAASO, The Obesity Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2007
Publication Date: 10/20/2007
Citation: Apovian, C.M., Cullum-Dugan, D., Murphy, M., Meyers, K., Coffman, J., Jenkins, M., Bakun, P., Tucker, K. 2007. Dash for health: validation of web-based 24-hour recall questionnaire designed for a lifestyle modification program. Annual Scientific Meeting NAASO, The Obesity Society. 15(9 Suppl):A1-234.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The DASH eating plan is nationally recognized and recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, among others, as a healthful way to reduce hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, and as being an overall healthy diet for all Americans. We created a web-based nutrition and physical activity education program which utilizes dietary recalls (as a self-monitoring tool) to quantify whole food intakes into DASH servings. Through its ease of use, quick completion (7-10 minutes), low cost, and instant feedback, this web-based program encourages and allows frequent communication regarding positive lifestyle modification. Our objective was to validate the DASH online questionnaire (OLQ) with the well known Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Subjects were 215 Boston University employees (75% female, 25% male; 80% white; average age 35). Each completed a DASH OLQ once a week for four weeks and one Block FFQ between weeks two and four. DASH OLQs were averaged and then compared to the BLOCK FFQ for nutrient intakes as well as intakes of DASH food groups. Because food type, number, and serving size differed from one instrument to the other, gram weights for all foods (Block) and average gram weights (DASH) were summed into the 11 DASH food groups. Average intakes of nutrients and each of the 11 food groups were compared across instruments. Significant positive correlations between the Block FFQ and the DASH OLQ were found for all nutrients and DASH Food groups. Mean intakes across instruments did not differ significantly for energy, carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, or potassium. However, significant differences did exist across instruments for mean intake of food groups, except for the Vegetable, Drinks, and Mixed Dish Groups. This is most likely due to the generalized nature of a FFQ (less variety, longer time period) vs. a higher level of food specificity in a recall (more variety, short time period). This online 24-hour food recall questionnaire was created to capture changes in DASH servings of foods after exposure to a web-based nutrition and physical activity program using the DASH Eating Plan. The DASH Online Questionnaire can be used to estimate DASH Servings of foods in those who are following the DASH Eating Plan.