Question 3
The results showed that responses were more accurate for prior-24-hour recalls versus the previous 24-hour recalls. For this age group, do you think a different method of dietary recall should be used for previous 24-hour recalls to increase accuracy? What type of recall could be used?
posted by Anonymous @ 6:49 PM
16 comments
16 Comments:
I think 9 or 10 year olds do not think about what they eat nor do they know portion sizes, so I do think that there could be a better way of obtaining the information other than a 24-hour recall. If it were possible to use food models or pictures of the exact food items (premeasured out portion sizes) and maybe even incorporating a food diary to also increase nutritional knowledge and awareness (children could write down after each meal or at the meal and also include their feelings about the food) then it may increase the overall accuracy.
I think that a food record would be the best option to get an accurate picture of their intake. Since it was shown that the prior 24-hour recalls were more accurate, I think it would be best to have them complete the food record as soon as possible after the meal. Also, since portion size may be an issue, it would be good if they had some assistance with completing the record. It may be helpful to have food models and measuring utensils, also.
I don't know what other method of dietary recall could be used to increase accuracy. I think that detailed pictures and food models should definitely be made available. I think that any normal 24-dietary recall method should be revised and tweaked for this age group. It also sounds like these 4th-graders need a little more nutrition education, so that they understand and can describe food in quantitative terms:)
Recording food intake using a food diary with the help of an adult and food models/measuring cups immediately following a meal would definitely increase accuracy of diet recalls. I have seen a food diary from a child taking place in a weight management program who was around 10 or 11, and that was how he did it. Trying to remember everything after a night of sleep may not be the best method.
~Anna Taylor
I think that a food diary would probably be a good method to increase the accuracy. However, I do question the purpose of increasing accuracy of 24-hour recalls for kids of this age. Although I believe that nutrition knowledge and awareness is important for kids, I think that focusing on exactly what they eat is perhaps too much focus. This has the potential to cause the child to become hyper-conscious of what they are eating and could lead to disordered eating. I believe the focus with this age group should be more about overall healthy eating and physical activity - and the value is not necessarily in knowing exactly what they have eaten.
Anna, I agree that having students record their food intake as soon as possible after eating is a good method. I suppose this is more of a food log than an actual recall, but if the kids were compliant this is a better method.
I am going to have to stick with what I said earlier that children would have a difficult time recalling what they eat due to not knowing correct amounts, not paying attention or just not remembering. Therefore, I agree with Melanie that a different method would just demonstrate the same errors and inaccuracies. Just as if you were using adults as the subjects, no great way of collecting this information has been developed without some type of human error.
I agree with Sarah that having a child keep a food log could be potentially dangerous. I think for the purpose of this study that the recall or the food log would be appropriate but for long term use, this could lead to more self-esteem issues and eating disorders. Teenagers and adults who obsess about their portion sizes tend to move towards having an eating disorder and body imagine problems so what's to say that this wouldn't just start the person out at an earlier age. I think it is vitally important that kids know proper measurements and portion sizes but it is unnecessary, except for the purpose of this study, to keep a food log or food diary at such a young age. Interesting thought process Sarah!
A 24 hour food recall would be the best method as this is a smaller period of time to focus on compared to other types of recalls that could cause wandering minds or extensive probing. The use of a parent or guardian would be helpful in recalling information. Visual aids such as measuring tools and food models should be utilized to get more accurate information.
I agree that a food diary (with the help of an adult) would help provide more accurate information. I would simply use this for a follow-up appointment.
I think that a food diary written by an adult that was observing the child eating would be the best and most accurate way of obtaining food intake information. Having the child worry about remembering portion sizes and amounts may have negative consequences for the child at this young of an age.
Sarah:
I think what you said about focusing on choosing healthy foods and physical activity instead of worrying about accurately recalling food eaten is a much healthier process for the child in the long run. I could see some children becoming hypersensitive to portion sizes and remembering how much they have eaten which could lead to disordered eating in some children. Good point Sarah!
I feel like a different method should be used besides the 24-hour recall. I think something that may work is using a food journal and having a parent or guardian help the child to record what they ate and how much. I do think that showing them food models and measuring cups would also be beneficial for their understanding and conceptualization of portion sizes. I think that this activity would have to be clearly explain to them, so they understand what they need to do and I feel like someone else (some type of adult) needs to help keep the children accountable, otherwise they are likely to forget what they ate and just guess.
Sarah G., I feel like you bring up a wonderful point about how a food journal may make the children focus too much on what they are eating and some type of eating disorder may develop. I agree that focusing on what foods are good for you and encouraging them to get physical activity is the best way to go.
I agree with Sarah that focusing too much on food choices could influence the children. Focusing more on healthy choices and physical activity sounds like a much better approach. I think these are general concepts that would be more beneficial for children of this age to learn. If needed though, I still think that a food diary would be the most accurate.
Kara, I think you make an excellent point--adults need to assist and supervise children in being responsible for their dietary choices. We can't simply teach them and walk away. Even a child who is stellar at measuring portions is still a child, and so an adult must ultimately be responsible for that child.
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