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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #152037
Title: USING NATIONAL DIETARY DATA TO MEASURE DIETARY CHANGES

Author
item CHAMPAGNE, CATHERINE - PENNINGTON BIOMED RES CTR
item Bogle, Margaret
item KARGE, WILLIAM - PERKIN ELMER LIFE SC

Submitted to: Dietary Assessment Methods International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2000
Publication Date: 9/19/2000
Citation: CHAMPAGNE, C.M., BOGLE, M.L., KARGE, W.H. USING NATIONAL DIETARY DATA TO MEASURE DIETARY CHANGES. DIETARY ASSESSMENT METHODS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. Tuscon, Arizona, USA. 2000. Abstract No. I.0.2.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Researchers worldwide have the ability to utilize the methodology for the National Surveys in their own investigations, yielding data that can then be compared to that of the overall US population. Two specific projects exemplifying these efforts are the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) involving Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana and the Department of Defense Military Nutrition Tasks carried out by PBRC. Delta NIRI's mission is to determine the nutritional status of Delta residents, compare with appropriate reference data (i.e., the USDA's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, or CSFII), and plan effective nutrition intervention programs. The Delta NIRI Consortium is collecting dietary data using the same methodology as CSFII, plans to pilot interventions, and measure dietary change following interventions. This initiative uses the National Survey datasets for nutrient analysis with recipe modifications appropriate for the local population. Comparisons with the broader US population and the ability to measure dietary changes over time are reasonable expectations. Military Nutrition efforts involve collection of dietary data to justify changes needed to address that unique requirements of soldiers. Some trials are short term designed for specialized focus areas, whereas other projects determine dietary intake at specific time points during military activities to help explain changes that may result during longer-term career training situations. Strategies similar to those used for Delta NIRI and Military Nutrition can be used widely, allowing comparisons of 'defined populations' with nationally distributed data. Additionally the measurement of dietary change is more efficient when the same protocol is used to subsequently collect further data, a method similar to that USDA uses to describe changes in consumption patterns nationally from one survey to another. Designing and maintaining nutrient software programs that continually change to meet needs of specific protocols and allow appropriate comparisons with previously collected data within the same population are yet another challenge.