HN-00630065_Developed and Validated Food Frequency Questionnaires in Iran: A Systematic Literature Review

Introduction: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are cheap and easy to administer, they are practical tools for dietary assessment in epidemiological studies. Although several studies have investigated the Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) in the Iranian population but the comprehensive review in this regards does not exist. The aim of study was to systematic review on studies on FFQs that developed and validated in Iranian population.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar without time limitation to find relevant English and non-English publications. Studies were included that focused on design and validation of FFQs in Iran.Results: 1968 articles were found. According to inclusion criteria nineteen studies were selected. Validation studies were done in 14 FFQs. Validation studies in 3 FFQs were not found. Median of correlation coefficients between FFQ intakes and dietary reference method by nutrients were 0.2075 to 0.65, which showed reasonable validity. Median of correlation coefficients between two FFQs were 0.28 to 0.85, this shows appropriate reproducibility. Low validity was seen for some nutrients and food groups such as egg, legume, iron, folate, α-tocopherol. In eight studies biomarkers were used as gold standard to compare with FFQs. Median of their correlation coefficients with FFQ were -0.0675 to 0.423.Conclusion: Although developed FFQs in Iran are different in characteristics, they had acceptable validity and reproducibility to assess dietary intake in Iranian population. Although some food groups and nutrients had poor validity and they must be considered carefully.

Keywords:

Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) , Validation , Reproducibility , Iranian Populations , Review