Core Facility: Dietary Assessment
Purpose: Collection, processing, developing and interpretation of dietary intake data
Major Instruments/Services:
Dietary Analysis Software:
We have a license with the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) for the Minnesota Nutrient Data System (NDS) that includes state-of-the-art software for data entry and calculation of intakes for 108 nutrients. We use NDS software to collect dietary data via telephone or in person 24-hour recalls. This system uses a multiple-pass approach with prompts displayed throughout the interview to assist in data collection and review. Our data manager has been trained and certified in the use of the NDS system and serves as the trainer and quality control manager for our data entry staff. In addition to completing a detailed training program, the staff is monitored for quality control through random observation of interviews and double entry of selected recalls or records by the dietary data manager.
We also work with the USDA national survey database program, which allows flexibility for additional foods and nutrients for specialized projects. We analyze national survey data from both the USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intake for Individuals (CSFII) and from the Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (HANES), using appropriate statistical software to adjust sampling weights and variances.
Hardware:
We have an OpScan 5 Scanner, optical mark reader (OMR) from National Computer Systems, Inc. (NCS). The scanner has an information dual-side, reflective read head for faster two-sided document scanning, and is set up for automated processing of food frequency questionnaires. Using NCS scannable forms, data are quickly and accurately scanned and then linked to our nutrient database for processing to nutrient information.
Other Dietary Assessment Services:
In addition to processing standard questionnaires, we have developed specialized food frequency questionnaires for use with Hispanic adults in the Northeastern US (Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Central Americans); and another for use in the Southern US (Mississippi Delta region). Our staff includes programmers experienced in writing SAS programs to link scanned output to dietary database contents and to create output reports for foods and nutrients from food frequency questionnaires. They are also conversant in creating food groups and other food and nutrient variables for use in analysis, creating a whole grain database and polyphenol database.
Fee: Yes
Access: Open to Tufts community, as long as an HNRCA investigator is a collaborator
Preferred Contact: Cheryl Gilhooly, cheryl.gilhooly@tufts.edu, (617) 636 - 3454
Campus: Boston
Website: http://hnrca.tufts.edu/research/scientific-services/dietary-assessment-unit
Level of Service: