ABSTRACT
Ecuador is the country that receives and integrates the largest amount of refugees and migrants of Latin America into its population and it has to have valid instruments for measuring and monitoring its food insecurity situation. A food security scale was applied to a sample of households in one rural area (n = 36), and another peri-urban one (n = 153). The validation was made following FAO recommendations. On applying the Raschse model it was observed that the theoretical severity of the questions was reflected similarly in the experiences of the households. The infit statistics for each item are placed in acceptable values (0.7-1.3). The results of the validated scale indicate that the study population finds itself in a serious food insecurity situation.
Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants , Food Supply , Refugees , Rural Population , Surveys and Questionnaires , Transients and Migrants , Urban Population , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Ecuador , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Latin America , Male , Poverty , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Background: A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) must be designed and validated in the local environment to ensure that the method is adapted to the objectives of the study and the population. Objective: The aim of this study was to validate an FFQ to evaluate the food consumption pattern of the Épera-Siapidara population of Ecuador. One hundred and four individuals (54% men and 46% women), aged between 2 and 84, took part in the study. Methods: The validity of this tool was assessed by comparing the relationship between the average daily nutrient intake estimated by the FFQ and the intake estimated in the three non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls (24hR). The existing correlations were evaluated by Pearsons or Spearmans correlation, the inter-class correlation coefficient, Lins concordance correlation coefficient and a Bland-Altman plot. Results: The values estimated by the FFQ were significantly higher for minerals and vitamins. The relative correlation coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.23 for Na and Ca, respectively, while the inter-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.84 to 0.33 for Na and cholesterol, respectively. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was higher for macronutrients, with values ranging from between 0.35 for lipids to 0.51 for energy. Only 6% of the participants were wrongly classified. The Bland-Altman plots showed an overestimation of macronutrient and calcium intake by the FFQ compared with the 24hR, and an underestimation of fiber intake. Conclusion: The FFQ demonstrated a good external consistency, which makes it a suitable instrument for correctly identifying the food and nutrient intake of the Épera-Siapidara population (AU)
Introducción: se debe diseñar y validar un Cuestionario de Frecuencia de Consumo de Alimentos (CFCA) en el ambiente local para asegurar que el método se adapta a los objetivos del estudio y a la población. Objetivo: validar un CFCA para evaluar el patrón de consumo de alimentos de población Épera-Siapidara en Ecuador. Participaron 104 personas (54% hombres y 46% mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre 2 y 84 años. Métodos: la validez se realizó comparando la relación entre la ingesta diaria media de nutrientes estimada por el CFCA y la ingesta estimada de tres días no consecutivos mediante rellamadas de 24 h (24hR). Las correlaciones existentes se evaluaron por correlación de Pearson o Spearman, el coeficiente de correlación interclase (CCI), el coeficiente de correlación de concordancia de Lin (CCC) y gráficos de Bland-Altman. Resultados: los valores estimados por el CFCA fueron significativamente mayores para minerales y vitaminas. Los coeficientes de correlación relativa oscilaron entre 0,71 y 0,23 para Na y Ca, respectivamente, mientras que el CCI varió de 0,84 a 0,33 para Na y colesterol, respectivamente. El CCC fue mayor para macronutrientes, con valores que oscilaron entre 0,35 para lípidos y 0,51 para energía. Solo el 6% de los participantes fueron clasificados erróneamente. Los gráficos de Bland-Altman mostraron sobreestimación de ingesta de macronutrientes y calcio por el FFQ y una subestimación de la ingesta de fibra. Conclusión: la CFCA mostró buena consistencia externa, lo que lo convierte en un instrumento útil para identificar correctamente la ingesta de alimentos y nutrientes de la población Épera-Siapidara (AU)
