Dietary assessment methods in surveillance systems targeted to adolescents: A review of the literature

Abstract

Aims: The present paper aims to identify ongoing multinational surveillance systems (SURSYSs) assessing diet and nutrition targeted to adolescents, including European surveys involving multiple countries and similar initiatives conducted in non-European countries with developed economies, and to describe the dietary assessment methods used.

Data synthesis: A total of 13 SURSYSs conducted in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were identified. Dietary assessment methods commonly used include 24-h recalls (24H-Rs) and questionnaires or interviews. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are used in combination with 24H-Rs in six SURSYSs: only FFQs are used in four SURSYSs; 24H-Rs only in one system and a 24H-R in combination with a general questionnaire/interview in one SURSYS. Eleven systems collect information also on some dietary habits and ten systems on other nutritional indicators such as anthropometric and/or biochemical measures. The FFQs used are not homogeneous and often include limited food or beverage items such as fruits and vegetables or sugar-sweetened beverages. In seven systems, foods specifically consumed by adolescents, such as fast food or snacks, are not assessed; instead, a total of seven systems collect data on supplement intake and just in very few cases on fats, legumes and/or water.

Conclusions: This study detected considerable variability across the systems identified, suggesting the need for a SURSYS targeted to adolescents that gathers as much as possible complete dietary information, with standardised methodology and regular periodicity. The detailed information provided by this review could be useful to national authorities for the choice of protocols to be applied in their own national surveys.

Keywords: Adolescence; Dietary consumption; Dietary habits; Surveillance system; Survey.