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21-Jan-2019
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Arch Hellen Med, 36(1), January-February 2019, 47-55 REVIEW Biomarkers for the assessment of dietary intake: Applications and methods Α. Niforou,1 Α. Naska,1,2 P. Orfanos,1,2 E. Valanou,1 E. Peppa,1 A. Trichopoulou1,2 |
Dietary assessment in the context of observational and experimental epidemiological studies is required to evaluate associations between diet and health, and for developing public health interventions at both the individual and the community level. Among the methods used to collect nutritional data are 24-hour dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires and food diaries. Sources of error are, however, inherent in all these methods and may affect their relative validity. The measurement of markers in biological samples (dietary biomarkers) is considered an objective indicator for recording and monitoring dietary intake, and is often used to assess intake and to evaluate the relative validity of dietary questionnaires. The majority of valid and reliable biomarkers are measured in blood and 24-hour urine samples. Blood samples are collected and managed by appropriately trained personnel, while 24-hour urine collection is performed entirely by the study participants. This review presents the most commonly used biomarkers for the assessment of intake, and also the preparation for and collection of 24-hour urine samples for epidemiological studies. Complete, accurate collection of biological samples is of great importance for reliable assessment, and therefore clear guidelines that will enhance the compliance of participants are essential.
Key words: Biomarkers, Diet, Epidemiology, Nutrition, 24-hour urine collection.
