Comparison of the 24-hour dietary recall and the three-day estimated weight record for determining the nutrient intake of children

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the comparison of the 24-hour recall and three-day record for assessing the macro- and micro-nutrient intakes of school children aged 10 to 15 years in the Mmabatho location. Design: The study formed part of the larger study of the THUSABANA, which was designed to assess the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among children aged 10 to 15 years. This was a cross-sectional study of a random sample of schools selected from the list of schools in the Northwest province in South Africa. Subjects/setting: A sub-sample bf 40 school children, girls and boys residing in the Mmabatho location were included. The dietary intake was obtained using the 24-hour recall and three-day estimated weight record methods. Trained field workers interviewed the subjects with the 24-hour recall technique. Food models and picture books were used to quantify the food intake. The same subjects who completed the 24-hour recall also completed the three-day dietary record. Statistical analysis: All data were computerised and the paired t-test was used to compare between the 24-hour recall and the three-day estimated weight record method. Results: The findings indicated that there was no significantly difference between the 24- hour recall and three-day estimated weight record method for energy, protein, carbohydrates and 6 micro-nutrients. However, the overall_ results of this study showed that the third day of the estimated weight record had the best resemblance to the 24-hour dietary recall method. The findings further indicated that there were significantly higher reported intakes of total fat, fibre and five micro-nutrients and significantly lower intake of ascorbic acid, and vitamin E using the three-day estimated weight record.

Conclusions: The research question whether the 24-hour recall and the three-day estimated weight record were significantly different has been answered. The study found no significant difference between the two methods. The contribution of this mini-dissertation is that the two methods are equally important but the 24-hour recall should be widely promoted because it is suitable, user friendly, culture sensitive and cost-effective in assessing the dietary intakes of the school children in epidemiological studies.