Within- and Between-Individual Variation in Nutrient Intakes with Day of the Week and Season in Korean Adults

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to examine component of variance in nutrient intakes and to estimate the level of accuracy with varying degree of precision in order to achieve estimates of usual nutrient intakes. Three-day dietary records including both weekdays and weekends were collected every 4 season over a 1-year period from 36 males and 93 females aged 40 - 65 y. For each nutrient, we partitioned total intake variance into weekly (weekday vs weekend), seasonal, within- and between- individual variation as components of variance, using analysis of variance. It was found that major components of variance were within- and between-individual variation. Particularly, within-individual variation(57.2 - 87.1%) was greater than between-individual variation (12.2 - 37.4%) for all nutrients. Weekly and seasonal variation contributed small components of variance for most nutrients. For protein, fat and carbohydrate, there were a little significant weekly variation (0.00 - 1.35%) in females but not in males. For some micronutrients, there were moderately significant seasonal variation (0.15 - 5.48%) in both sexes. Ratio of within- to between- individual variation ranged 1.4 (vitamin B2) - 4.5 (vitamin B1) in males and 1.6 (carbohydrate) - 2.9 (fat) in females. With total 12- day dietary records data, the maximum percentage deviation of observed intakes from usual (true) intakes ranged 12 - 37%. To estimate usual individual intakes within 20% of the true mean with 90% confidence level, 3 - 9 days of dietary survey were required for energy, protein, carbohydrate, phosphorus and iron, 13 - 19 days for fat and calcium, 25 - 29 days for vitamin A and vitamin C. Correlation coefficients between observed and true nutrient intakes were 0.71 - 0.91 for males, 0.81 - 0.91 for females. In conclusion, mean intakes of several nutrients can be reliably measured with the record method, using a limited number of days. Both nutrients of interest and the primary objectives should be taken account when planning method of assessment and number of replicates.