Validation of a questionnaire to assess dietary habits among 5–13‐year old school children of farmers and anthroposophic families

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate dietary habits among 5–13‐year old school children of farmers, anthroposophic families and controls and to evaluate the validity of a food questionnaire as part of a lifestyle questionnaire of the PARSIFAL‐study.Methods. Food questionnaires were completed by the parents of the children. Validity was assessed with 24‐h recalls performed as telephone interviews with a parent accompanied by the child.Results. Dietary habits were assessed among 14 901 children. Farm children consumed most farm milk, dairy products made from farm milk and meat. Children from anthroposophic families consumed most fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and olive oil and least meat and margarine. Among 493 participants included in the validation study, validity of the food items studied was determined to be moderate‐to‐adequate.Conclusions. Dietary habits differ substantially among children of farmers and children from anthroposophic families. Validity of the diet questionnaire should be sufficiently a...