Juxtaposing Nutrient Intake Estimates from 24-Hour Recall, 7-Day Recall, and Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES): Comparing Bangladesh’s Integrated Household Survey (BIHS 2011-12) and Its Income and Expenditure Survey (2010 HIES)

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding food consumption patterns and nutrient intakes is essential for informing nutrition policymaking. However, there is no consensus on which is the “best” method for measuring them. This study juxtaposes nutrient intake estimates using three alternative dietary assessment methods: A 24-hour recall (24HR) and a household-based 7-day recall (7DR)—both collected in the 2011-2012 BIHS—and a 14-day diary (14DD) collected in the 2010 HIES. Methods: Food Composition Tables (FCTs) were used to estimate the nutrient content of the foods consumed. To calculate individual nutrient intake from household consumption in the 7DR and 14DD, we applied the concept of Adult Male Equivalents (AME). We then compared the estimated values with results from the 24HR. Results: On average, the 7DR estimates of the daily intakes of kilocalories, iron, zinc, and vitamin A were 13%, 15%, and 18% higher, respectively, than 24HR estimates at the national and subnational levels. Vitamin A estimates varied more markedly: they were 32% higher at the national level and up to 58% higher at the subnational level. Comparisons of the same measures will also be made with the 14DD data. Conclusions: With the exception of vitamin A, estimates based on the 7DR are relatively close to measures of individual nutrient intake provided in the 24HR. For many applications, the two methods provide adequately precise measures of nutrient intakes. Further work is needed to determine the sources of variation in the methods, how to improve the precision of the estimates, and how to assess the external validity of these findings.