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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Guideline

DIET@NET: Best Practice Guidelines for dietary assessment in health research

Authors: Janet E. Cade, Marisol Warthon-Medina, Salwa Albar, Nisreen A. Alwan, Andrew Ness, Mark Roe, Petra A. Wark, Katharine Greathead, Victoria J. Burley, Paul Finglas, Laura Johnson, Polly Page, Katharine Roberts, Toni Steer, Jozef Hooson, Darren C. Greenwood, Sian Robinson, on behalf of the DIET@NET consortium

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Dietary assessment is complex, and strategies to select the most appropriate dietary assessment tool (DAT) in epidemiological research are needed. The DIETary Assessment Tool NETwork (DIET@NET) aimed to establish expert consensus on Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) for dietary assessment using self-report.

Methods

The BPGs were developed using the Delphi technique. Two Delphi rounds were conducted. A total of 131 experts were invited, and of these 65 accepted, with 48 completing Delphi round I and 51 completing Delphi round II. In all, a total of 57 experts from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia commented on the 47 suggested guidelines.

Results

Forty-three guidelines were generated, grouped into the following four stages: Stage I. Define what is to be measured in terms of dietary intake (what? who? and when?); Stage II. Investigate different types of DATs; Stage III. Evaluate existing tools to select the most appropriate DAT by evaluating published validation studies; Stage IV. Think through the implementation of the chosen DAT and consider sources of potential biases.

Conclusions

The Delphi technique consolidated expert views on best practice in assessing dietary intake. The BPGs provide a valuable guide for health researchers to choose the most appropriate dietary assessment method for their studies. These guidelines will be accessible through the Nutritools website, www.​nutritools.​org.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
DIET@NET: Best Practice Guidelines for dietary assessment in health research
Authors
Janet E. Cade
Marisol Warthon-Medina
Salwa Albar
Nisreen A. Alwan
Andrew Ness
Mark Roe
Petra A. Wark
Katharine Greathead
Victoria J. Burley
Paul Finglas
Laura Johnson
Polly Page
Katharine Roberts
Toni Steer
Jozef Hooson
Darren C. Greenwood
Sian Robinson
on behalf of the DIET@NET consortium
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0962-x

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