AbstractsMedical & Health Science

Summary Background In 1999 the first national dietary survey among infants and toddlers in Norway was carried out. Two cohorts were implemented; Spedkost 1998/99 for 6 months and 12 months old children, and Småbarnskost 1999 for 24 months old children. In 2006/07, Spedkost and Småbarnskost was carried out again. However, the SFFQs used in Småbarnskost 2007 was revised and adjusted from the SFFQ used in 1999; therefore this validity study is necessary to investigate if the revised SFFQ used among 24 months old children in Småbarnskost 2007 is a good dietary assessment tool to be used in this age group. It is important to assess the dietary habits of children and follow the time-trend to monitor if any changes occur and uncover any trends that could constitute a potential health risk of their immediate and future health. Knowing the populations dietary habits is important in order to continuously update nutrition recommendations and guidelines. Validation of dietary assessment methods used in large surveys are important in order to clarify the strength of the results and investigate if the tools reflect the true dietary intake. Furthermore, validation studies are necessary so improvements of our dietary assessment techniques can be made in future surveys. In this validation study we aim to clarify if the SFFQ used in Småbarnskost 2007 is able to assess dietary intakes of the main food groups and macro- and micronutrients on the group level and ranking individuals according to high and low intakes. Subjects & Methods Forty-one children (n=41) aged 17 to 39 months participated. The total sample was initially of 42 subjects, but one child was excluded due to extreme and unrealistic reports of food intake from the SFFQ. A four day weighed food diary was chosen as a reference method to validate the SFFQ used in the survey Småbarnskost 2007 . Subjects were recruited through a selection of day-cares in Oslo, Norway. Parents filled out an accession form agreeing to participate and completed an SFFQ to assess the children s diet. Approximately 14 days later they completed a 4-day weighed food diary (WFD) (Wednesday-Saturday). Kitchen scales to assist the recording were handed out to each household and participating day-care. Parents recorded their child s diet at home, while day-care assistants recorded the toddler s food intake during the time spent in the day-care. The weighed food diaries were coded manually and the questionnaires were scanned and coded using syntax. Daily intakes of energy, nutrients and food items were calculated by a software data program using a food database developed at the Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo. Wilcoxon signed rank-test was performed where data was skewed (absolute nutrient intakes and intake of food items) and paired sample t-test was used when data was normally distributed (intake of macronutrients). Correlation coefficients and classification into tertiles were used to rank subjects according to intake, and Bland-Altman plots were used to check the level…