Biomarker-based validation of a food frequency questionnaire for the assessment of omega-3 fatty acid status in a healthy Iranian population

• Published in: Scientific reports 2023-09, Vol.13 (1), p.14813-14813, Article 14813
• Main Authors: Abedimanesh, Nasim, Motlagh, Behrooz, Hejazi, Jalal, Eskandari, Mohammad Reza, Asghari-Jafarabadi, Mohammad, Mazloomzadeh, Saeideh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/45; 692/700; Biomarkers; Correlation coefficient; Erythrocytes; Food; Gas chromatography; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Omega-3 fatty acids; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Questionnaires; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41623-2

There is no valid instrument to assess n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) intake in Iran. This study aims to develop a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that estimates the intake of n-3 PUFA and validate it in a healthy Iranian population based on the n-3 PUFA content of red blood cells (RBCs) and a 3-day food record (FR). A healthy population (n = 221) was recruited between February and July 2021. Participants completed the new FFQ and 3-day FR to evaluate the average intake of n-3 PUFAs. We used gas chromatography to assess the n-3 PUFA content of RBCs. To validate the FFQ based on FR and biomarker as references, the correlation coefficient was calculated. According to the Bland–Altman plots, a good agreement was found between the new FFQ and FR. Moreover, absolute intake values of ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA, and total n-3 PUFAs based on FFQ were positively correlated to their respective RBC membrane levels (coefficients between 0.205 and 0.508, p