Comparison of dietary intake estimates from nci's automated self-administered 24 hour recall (ASA24) to interviewer-administered automated multiple pass method recall

Background: The National Cancer Institute developed the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Recall (ASA24) to facilitate the collection of 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) in large-scale studies. The Food Reporting Comparison Study (FORCS) assessed the feasibility and quality of data collected using ASA24 compared to the USDA's interviewer-administered Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM) recall. Methods: About 1200 men and women were recruited from three integrated health systems - Marshfield Clinic (WI), Henry Ford Health System (MI), and Kaiser Permanente Northern California (CA) - using quota sampling to ensure representation of a range of ages and race/ethnicity groups. Participants were asked to complete two 24HRs, 4-7 weeks apart, and were offered financial incentives; they were randomized into four study groups: 1) two ASA24s; 2) two AMPMs; 3) one ASA24 and one AMPM; and 4) one AMPM and one ASA24. Results: 95% of enrolled participants completed at least one 24HR; 80% completed two. Mean reported intakes on the ASA24 were similar to those on the AMPM for the dietary components examined thus far: energy (2132 vs. 2126 kcal), fat (84.9 vs. 82.8 g), saturated fatty acids (27.9 vs. 26.9 g), fiber (18.4 vs. 18.4 g), and fruits and vegetables (3.0 vs. 3.1 cup equivalents). Agreement by site and by sex was similarly high. Discussion: In this large field study with diverse participants, mean reported dietary intake between the self-administered online ASA24 and the interviewer-administered AMPM were similar. The ability to obtain high quality dietary data using a web-based instrument is significant to public health nutritionists.