Potential and requirements for a standarized pan-European food consumption survey using the EPIC-Soft software

Background/Objectives: To describe the strengths, limitations and requirements of using EPIC-Soft software (the software developed to conduct 24-h dietary recalls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study) in pan-European food consumption surveys, and to discus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 65
Main Authors Ocke, M.C, Slimani, N, Brants, H.A.M, Buurma-Rethans, E, Casagrande, C, Nicolas, G, Dofkova, M, Donne, C., le, Freisling, H, Geelen, A, Huybrechts, I, Keyzer, W., de, Laan, J.D., van der, Lafay, L, Lillegaard, I.T.L, Niekerk, E.M, Vries, J.H.M., de, Wilson-van den Hooven, E.C, Boer, E.J., de
Format Journal Article
Published 2011
Subjects
24-hour diet recall
calibration
cancer
level correlations
nutrient intake
nutrition
plasma carotenoids
questionnaires
recommendations
validation
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Summary:Background/Objectives: To describe the strengths, limitations and requirements of using EPIC-Soft software (the software developed to conduct 24-h dietary recalls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study) in pan-European food consumption surveys, and to discuss potentials and barriers for a harmonized pan-European food consumption survey. Subjects/Methods: The paper is based on the experiences in the ‘European Food Consumption and Validation’ Project, which included updating six existing and preparing one new country-specific EPIC-Soft version, applying EPIC-Soft in validation and feasibility studies, and estimating the intake of nutrients and flavoring substances. The experiences were discussed in the September 2009 workshop ‘Pan-European Food Consumption Surveys—for Standardized and Comparable Transnational Data Collection’. Results: EPIC-Soft is suitable for detailed and standardized food consumption data collection in pan-European food consumption surveys. A thorough preparation of all aspects of the food consumption survey is important for the quality and efficiency during data collection and processing. The preparation and data-handling phase of working with EPIC-Soft is labor intensive and requires trained, motivated and qualified personnel. Conclusions: Given the suitability of EPIC-Soft as standardized dietary assessment tool in European dietary monitoring, the proposed strategy toward a pan-European food consumption survey is to prepare well, to allow flexibility in national extensions and to start with a limited number of countries that are interested
ISSN:0954-3007
1476-5640