Multiple-Day Food Records

A food record or food diary is a detailed description of all foods and beverages consumed over a period of three to seven days.

Documented Multiple-Day Food Records

The participant records this information at the time of food or beverage consumption in special booklets provided by NASR (see sample booklet). Study participants are instructed by trained study staff in food recording procedures, and when complete, meet again with staff to review and document the accuracy of the records. Quality documentation of food records is imperative; and therefore, study personnel must complete documentation training and certification by NASR staff (see Training). The data from the food records is entered and analyzed using NDSR; all entries are reviewed and edited by NASR research nutritionists.

Undocumented Multiple-Day Food Records

An undocumented food record is similar to a documented food record except that study participants get very little or no instruction on recording procedures and do not meet with study staff to review and document the accuracy of the records. The data from the food records are entered and analyzed using NDSR; all entries are reviewed and edited by NASR research nutritionists.

A recent pilot study evaluated a self-administered 3-day food record protocol that was analyzed both before (undocumented) and after (documented) additional information was obtained. Results of this study suggest that the use of undocumented food records is feasible for use in large cohort studies. (See sample undocumented multiple-day food record booklet.)

For pricing, see User Fees