Pilot study in the view of a Pan-European dietary survey - adolescents, adults and elderly
Meta data
This external report is the output from a scientific or technical project that EFSA has funded to support its work in accordance with Article 36 of EFSA’s Founding Regulation. It was produced by the beneficiaries of an EFSA grant following a call for proposal published on the EFSA website. For more information on this procedure see Article 36 cooperation. It is published complying with the transparency principle to which EFSA is subject and cannot be considered as an output adopted by EFSA. EFSA reserves its rights, view and position as regards the issues addressed and conclusions reached in the present document, without prejudice to the rights of the authors.
Abstract
The project was performed in the context of EFSA’s plan for a pan-European data collection, namely. “What’s on the Menu in Europe” ("EU Menu") survey. The goals of the PILOT-PANEU project were to develop, test and evaluate the applicability of tools and procedures for conducting a dietary survey including adolescents, adults and elderly people, based on 2 x 24-hr recall performed with EPIC-Soft methodology. The Manual, protocols, questionnaires and other documents assisting the implementation of the surveys were developed jointly by all partners; five participants prepared the country-specific files. Approximately 25% of picture series selected for estimation of the amount of food consumed was tested, involving persons aged 10-74 years, with perception and conceptualisation-memory methods within validation studies performed by five partners. The study revealed that the picture series can be best used for foods of similar appearance and density. The 2x24-hr recall dietary surveys were carried out by four partners involving 1012 interviewed persons selected with the combination of random and convenience sampling. The Greek partner carried out the comparative analysis of the results of the 2011 national nutrition survey and those obtained with the new Hellenic Health Foundation nutrition tool. The response rate was generally low, except in Bulgaria, suggesting that the highest rate can be achieved if the random samples are selected in cooperation with the National Statistical Offices taking into account the varying practices of handling confidential personal information. The present version of EPIC-Soft methodology tested had several shortcomings which would likely be eliminated with the development of the e-Standardised Methodologies Platform (e-SMP). The consortium made a number of recommendations for the improvement and further development of the tools and procedures. Assuming that the recommended modifications are made, the tools and procedures developed and tested are considered applicable for the EFSA "EU Menu" survey.