The relative validity of retrospectively assessed energy intake data in cases with myocardial infarction and controls (the Zutphen Study)

• Published in: Journal of clinical epidemiology Vol. 42; no. 11; p. 1075
• Main Authors: Bloemberg, B P, Kromhout, D, Obermann-de Boer, G L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1989
• Subjects: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Case-Control Studies; Data Collection - methods; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Energy Intake; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - physiopathology; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0895-4356
• DOI: 10.1016/0895-4356(89)90049-8

The relative validity of energy intake data, retrospectively collected after a 15-year period, was investigated. In 1970 dietary data were obtained by the cross-check dietary history method among 615 men aged 50-69. Between 1970 and 1985, 43 of these men had a non-fatal myocardial infarction. As controls 86 healthy men were selected. Of these 129 men, 112 were interviewed about their usual food intake in 1985 and in 1970. The retrospectively collected food intake data were compared with the data obtained in 1970. Retrospectively the average energy intake was overestimated by approximately 300 kcal/day. The amount of overestimation was statistically associated with change in energy intake, education and interviewer. The data collected in 1970 showed a significantly lower energy intake in cases compared with controls. However, the retrospectively assessed energy intake data showed no significant difference. A difference in energy intake between cases and controls may not be found when dietary intake data are assessed retrospectively.