Evaluation of the Southwest Food Frequency Questionnaire

The development of the Southwest Food Frequency Questionnaire (SWFFQ) was undertaken to provide a culturally appropriate means of collecting dietary information for the Southwest region of the United States. The study measured the reliability and validity of the SWFFQ and a modified shortened version (MSFFQ). Hispanic (n = 79) and non-Hispanic (n = 80) subjects participated in the study and were randomized to complete two administrations of either the SWFFQ or the MSFFQ. Each subject provided four days of dietary recalls over a four month period. FFQs were administered 2 and 4 weeks after the last 24 hour recall was completed. The SWFFQ had greater mean reproducibility coefficients (0.615 to 0.832) compared with the MSFFQ and greater validity coefficients (0.349 to 0.700) when disattenuated for macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. Hispanics had greater reproducibility, but non-Hispanics had greater validity coefficients. In conclusion, the SWFFQ is an instrument that can be used effectively for its target population.