Citation

Ekholm O. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 2004; 58(1): 60-63.

Affiliation

National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark. oek@niph.dk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601746

PMID

14679368

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the accuracy of recall on self-reported alcohol intake. DESIGN: Population-based random sample. SETTING: The Danish Health and Morbidity Survey 1994. SUBJECTS: The study is based on 6,354 persons chosen at random among the adult Danish citizens. The response rate was 77%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number of alcoholic drinks consumed on each day during the last week. RESULTS: For self-reported alcohol intake on the last Saturday, respondents with a recall period of one day have the shortest recall period (reference group) and respondents with a recall period of seven days the longest. Respondents with a recall period of seven days reported significant lower alcohol intake (Odds Ratio: 0.56). The reported alcohol intake declines when the recall period increases. The decline in recall of alcohol intake is very clear already after 2-3 days. CONCLUSION: The systematic decrease in reported alcohol use with increased recall period indicates problems in correctly reporting alcohol intake for a full week. Many surveys use recall periods that are longer than a week and, therefore, underreported alcohol intake is expected to be even higher.

Language: en