Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Computerized Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire for Use in Studies of American Indian and Alaskan Native People

• Published in: Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008, Vol.108 (1), p.101-109
• Main Authors: Slattery, Martha L., PhD, MPH, Murtaugh, Maureen A., PhD, RD, Schumacher, Mary Catherine, MD, MPH, Johnson, Jennifer, RD, Edwards, Sandra, MS, Edwards, Roger, Benson, Joan, MS, RD, Tom-Orme, Lillian, PhD, Lanier, Anne P., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alaska - ethnology; Alaska Natives; American Indians; Biological and medical sciences; computer software; data collection; Data Collection - methods; Diet; Diet Surveys; Dietetics; eating habits; Epidemiologic Methods; epidemiological studies; Feeding Behavior - ethnology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; food availability; food choices; food frequency questionnaires; food groups; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; home food preparation; Humans; Indians, North American - statistics & numerical data; Internal Medicine; interviews; Inuits - statistics & numerical data; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Native North Americans; Obesity; Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Research Design; Research methodology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Surveys and Questionnaires; User-Computer Interface; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0002-8223; 2212-2672; 1878-3570; 2212-2680
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.10.008

Collection of dietary intake in epidemiologic studies involves using methods that are comprehensive yet appropriate for the population being studied. Here we describe a diet history questionnaire (DHQ) that was developed using an audio self-administered computer-assisted interview technique. The DHQ was developed for use in a cohort of American Indians and Alaskan Natives with tribal input and area-specific modules to incorporate local food availability. The DHQ includes 54 main food group questions, specific food items within the main food group, and food preparation and general eating practice questions. The questionnaire was programmed to be self-administered using a computer with a touch screen. The average time for the first 6,604 participants to complete the questionnaire was 36 minutes. Almost 100% of participants had complete DHQ data and the average number of food items selected was 70. The methods developed for collection of dietary data appear to be appropriate for the targeted population and may have usefulness for other populations where collecting dietary data in a self-administered format is desirable.