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Validation of weighed records and other methods of dietary assessment using the 24 h urine nitrogen technique and other biological markers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

S. A. Bingham ,
A. Cassidy ,
T. J. Cole ,
A. Welch ,
S. A. Runswick ,
A. E. Black ,
D. Thurnham ,
C. Bates ,
K. T. Khaw  and
T. J. A. Key
...Show all authors
S. A. Bingham
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2DH
A. Cassidy
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2DH
T. J. Cole
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Downhams Lane, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ
A. Welch
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2DH
S. A. Runswick
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2DH
A. E. Black
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2DH
D. Thurnham
Affiliation:
Human Nutrition Group, Department of Biological and Biomedical Seiences, University of Ulster, Colerarine BT52 1SA
C. Bates
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Downhams Lane, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ
K. T. Khaw
Affiliation:
Clinical Grantology Unit, F & G Block, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ
T. J. A. Key
Affiliation:
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Dpidemiology Unit, Gibson Building, The Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford OX2 6HE
N. E. Day
Affiliation:
Institute of Public Health, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2SR
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Abstract

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Results from analysis of 24 h urine collections, verified for completeness with para-amino benzoic acid, and blood samples collected over 1 year were compared with 16 d weighed records of all food consumed collected over the year, and with results from 24 h recalls, food-frequency questionnaires and estimated food records in 160 women. Using the weighed records, individuals were sorted into quintiles of the distribution of the urine N excretion: dietary N intake ratio (UN:DN). UN exceeded DN in the top quintile of this ratio; mean ratio UN:DN = 1·13 Individuals in this top quintile were heavier, had significantly greater body mass indices, were reportedly more restrained eaters, had significantly lower energy intake:basal metabolic rate ratios (EI:BMR), and had correlated ratios of UN:DN and EI:BMR (r - 0·62). Those in the top quintile reported lower intakes of energy and energy-yielding nutrients, Ca, fats, cakes, breakfast cereals, milk and sugars than individuals in the other quintiles but not lower intakes of non-starch polysaccharides, vitamin C, vegetables, potatoes or meat. Correlations between dietary intake from weighed records and 24 h urine K were 0·74 and 0·82, and between dietary vitamin C and β-carotene and plasma vitamin C and β-carotene 0·86 and 0·48. Correlations between dietary N intake from weighed records and 24 h urine excretion were high (0·78–0·87). Those between N from estimated food records and urine N were r 0·60–0·70. Correlations between urine N and 24 h recalls and food-frequency questionnaires were in the order of 0·01 to 0·5. Despite problems of underreporting in overweight individuals in 20% of this sample, weighed records remained the most accurate method of dietary assessment, and only an estimated 7 d diary was able to approach this accuracy.

Keywords

Dietary assessment methodsUrine nitrogenDietary nitrogen
Type
Dietary assessment and body composition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 73 , Issue 4 , April 1995 , pp. 531 - 550
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1995

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