PURPOSE: We aimed (1) to describe and evaluate the "EPIC-Soft DataEntry" application developed as a user-friendly data entry tool for pan-European and national food consumption surveys among infants and children, and (2) to compare two food record-based dietary assessment methods in terms of food description and quantification using data quality indicators. EPIC-Soft DataEntry was used for both methods. METHODS: Two pilot studies were performed in both Belgium and Czech Republic in a total of 376 children (3 months to 10 year olds): one using a consecutive 3-day food diary; and the second with two non-consecutive 1-day food diaries with data entry during a completion interview. The collected dietary data were compared between the two dietary assessment methods by country and by age groups: (i) <1 year; (ii) 1-3 years; (iii) >3-10 years. RESULTS: Overall, 70% of the interviewers evaluated the work with EPIC-Soft DataEntry as easy. With both dietary assessment methods, an equally high proportion of specific food names (e.g., "yoghurt, strawberry") were reported, where only between 5 and 15% of foods were non-specified (e.g., "yoghurt, n.s."). The two 1-day food diaries yielded a higher proportion of foods with detailed description. For example, in the age category of 1-3 year olds in Belgium, for 7 out of 16 systematic questions on food description (e.g., "preservation method,") specific answers were significantly higher (all P < 0.03). The proportion of missing quantities of consumed foods was comparable between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: The EPIC-Soft DataEntry application was positively evaluated by the majority of the interviewers. Two non-consecutive 1-day food diaries with data entry during a completion interview provide a more detailed description of consumed foods as compared with a 3-day food diary.

International Agency for Research on Cancer 150 Cours Albert Thomas 69372 Lyon Cedex 08 France

See more in PubMed

Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 1999 Mar;58(3):251-66 PubMed

Br J Nutr. 2013 Dec;110(12):2298-308 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002 May;56 Suppl 2:S89-94 PubMed

J Am Diet Assoc. 2004 May;104(5):746-52 PubMed

J Am Diet Assoc. 1993 Dec;93(12):1431-6 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S5-15 PubMed

J Am Diet Assoc. 2010 Oct;110(10):1501-10 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S77-83 PubMed

Br J Nutr. 2001 Apr;85(4):415-30 PubMed

Br J Nutr. 2004 Oct;92 Suppl 2:S213-22 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S102-7 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S48-57 PubMed

Proc Nutr Soc. 2000 May;59(2):279-93 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S58-64 PubMed

Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Jul;34(7):1103-15 PubMed

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jul;65 Suppl 1:S16-28 PubMed

Feasibility of dietary assessment methods, other tools and procedures for a pan-European food consumption survey among infants, toddlers and children