Dietary Assessment of Micronutrients Intake

Abstract

The results of food consumption surveys are important data for determination of food consumption trends of consumers, risk assessment, applying health policies, and determination of exposure of consumers to harmful substances. While micronutrients are essential for taking part in many metabolic processes and maintaining the proper functioning of the body, there are difficulties in evaluating of daily intake of micronutrients individually. Although many methods are used in the evaluation of the dietary micronutrient intake, there is no universal, reliable, and valid method for epidemiological studies. In the evaluation of dietary intake of micronutrients, weighted food diary method is used as a basis for reference. However, because this method is difficult to use and apply to large populations, validation studies have been conducted for more practical methods. At this point, it is seen that the food frequency questionnaire might be used especially in large groups. Nonetheless, in order to obtain reliable results, it is important to develop the food range according to the nutrients to be determined when querying the food frequency questionnaire. In conclusion, in order to find the most reliable method in food consumption research, it is important to the nutrient types to be determined and to define the population well.