Youth/ Adolescent Questionnaire (YAQ)



Youth/ Adolescent Questionnaire (YAQ)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

I. Requesting information, questionnaires

II. Coding

III. Analysis

IV. Billing

V. References

I. Requesting Information, Questionnaires:

1. Where do I obtain information regarding the food frequency questionnaire?

On our website:



2. How do I order questionnaires?

Go to our website:



and download the Billing Form. Fill out the form and email it to

helaine.rockett@channing.harvard.edu

2. Is there a minimum order requirement?

No, though it is quite an effort to analyze only one questionnaire, and so do not recommend this.

3. How should the participants fill out the food frequency questionnaire?

The questionnaire should be coded in a #2 pencil.

4. On average, how long does it take a participant to complete the food frequency

questionnaire?

The questionnaire usually takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

II. Coding:

1. What is the difference between a self code and Harvard code?

Besides the analysis cost difference ($3.75 vs. $13.00), the main difference is who does the preparation of the questionnaires for scanning and analysis. The self code is the researcher or YOU doing the preparation whereas the Harvard code is Harvard or WE doing the preparation (The only exception is Harvard does not fill in the id. The researcher always has to fill in the id on each questionnaire)

2. What does it mean to be a self-coder?

A self-coder is responsible for preparing the questionnaires for scanning and analysis. The preparation includes several steps:

• Code the study participant’s ID in the appropriate box

• Fill in codes related to open-ended questions-cereal, margarine, and other foods. Each self-coder will receive coding instructions, which explains the procedure, along with codes for margarines, oils, vitamins, cereals and foods.

• Erase stray marks.

• Fill in pass-thru bubbles for blank questions. The pass-thru bubbles are in the right-hand margin, in the blue column with corresponding numbers to each question. The pass-thru bubble is filled in to confirm that the question is a true blank and not a question the scanner missed.

• Rip off the spine so sheets of the questionnaire are single or free.

3. I am a self-coder. Can I obtain instructions for these duties?

Yes, please refer to our website: .

4. How should my questionnaires look upon return for processing?

Each questionnaire should be completed using a number two pencil. Please refrain from placing labels, holes, stray marks, staples or names on each questionnaire. Each questionnaire must be assigned an identification number (ID) to be analyzed. Due to HIPPA regulations, any questionnaire received with personal identification such as a name or social security number will be returned to the investigator. If this information is already on your questionnaire, the identifying information must be crossed out or erased before submitting for processing so that it is not visible.

5. How should I assign an identification number or ID?

Each questionnaire requires an ID number before it can be scanned and analyzed. You may choose unique numbers that have 8 or less digits. Double check that duplicate IDs were not assigned. Please take into account the size of your study and any follow-up studies that may follow when assigning IDs. The ID needs only to be meaningful to the investigator. You do not need to assign leading nor trailing zeros.

6. How should I ship the questionnaires?

You can ship the questionnaires by USPS, Fed Ex, UPS and other couriers. The questionnaires should not be paper clipped or binder clipped together. Keep the questionnaire together and either put rubber bands around them or put in box with packing material to keep the stack of questionnaires together.

III. Analysis:

1. Where should I send the questionnaire to be analyzed?

All questionnaires should be sent to: Laura Sampson, MS, RD / Helaine Rockett MS RD

Harvard School of Public Health

Nutrition Questionnaire Service Center

Nutrition Department, 3rd Floor, bldg. 2, rm 315

665 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115.

2. What type of output will I receive and how will I receive it?

Please provide TWO emails for data return. You will receive a WINZIP file of the analysis. You have 12 days to login and pick up your data. Questionnaires will be sent back by mail. Please refer to the sample analysis located on our website.

3. How do I get WinZip program?

If you do not have WinZip, you can go to . There is an evaluation program that you can download and programs to purchase that will open WinZip attachments.

4. How do I open the contents of the WinZIP attachments?

5. .csv files – use Excel

6. .csv.label files use Microsoft Notepad or Wordpad

7. .raw, .rawlogs, .contribute, and .score files use Microsoft Word.

5. How often is the nutrient database updated?

The databases are updated every two-four years.

6. What is the turnaround time for FFQ’s?

Questionnaires are analyzed on a first come, first serve basis. Please allow between 6 to 8 weeks from the time we receive your questionnaires. The exceptions to this time line is the last 2 weeks of December, August, and if you send large order (500 or more questionnaires). These orders will probably be turned around in the same time span but there is a chance, we might also need some additional time. All FFQ’s will be returned using FedEx upon completion of analysis. Data will be returned in a WinZip attachment.

IV. Billing:

1. What types of payment are acceptable?

With all payments, please make sure the memo reads “Nutrition Dept., T.H. Chan, Kids”. We accept payments by check, wire transfer, or Harvard Internal Payment (Harvard Affiliates only). Credit cards are not accepted.

Email Lauren Dougherty for information if paying by wire or internal transfer.

For billing questions please contact Lauren Dougherty at 617-998-6615 or at nhlhw@channing.harvard.edu

2. When will my institution receive an invoice?

We bill at two (2) different times:

• the initial order of blank questionnaires

• the analysis

We do not bill in full in the beginning because some studies have different study time periods and the number of questionnaires to be analyzed may change. You will receive 2 invoice numbers. One check for both questionnaires and analyses will be accepted.

3. I have a large study; is it possible to receive a discount?

We try to keep our costs as low as possible and so do not give discounts for large orders. Students utilizing the YAQ for their private studies may contact Helaine Rockett for more detail on billing.

4. Can I use a PO?

Your institution can generate a purchase order, but it is not mandatory for payment. Checks should be made out to Harvard University and mailed to the following:

Laura Sampson, MS, RD

Harvard School of Public Health

Nutrition Questionnaire Service Center

Nutrition Department, bldg. 2, 3rd floor, rm 315

665 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115. MEMO: Nutrition Dept., T.H. Chan, Kids

5. Do you have a tax ID number?

The tax ID number for Harvard University is 04-2103580.

6. Can my institution send you a W-9 form?

Yes. Please email Helaine.Rockett@channing.harvard.edu

V. References:

For the YAQ:

1. Rockett, H.R., A.M. Wolf, and G.A. Colditz Development, and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire to assess diets of older children and adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc., 1995. 95(3): p. 336-40.

A one-year reproducibility study of the preliminary adolescent food frequency was conducted on 179 children, ages 9-18 years. The average correlation for 10 nutrients and calories was 0.55 and the range was 0.24 (Protein) to 0.92 (Carotene). In general, the reproducibility was stronger among females (r=0.57) than males (0.50). We observed no trend of improving correlations with age.

2. Rockett, H.R.H. and G.A. Colditz, Assessing diets of children and adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr, 1997. 65: p. 1116S-22S.

Review of nutritional assessment methods used specifically in young people.

3. Rockett, H.R., et al., Validation of a youth/adolescent food frequency questionnaire. Prev Med, 1997. 26(6): p. 808-16.

Validity of this food frequency against dietary recalls was also completed on a sample of 261 youths (ages 9 to 18 years). The correlation coefficients between mean energy-adjusted nutrients ranged from 0.21 for sodium to 0.58 for folate. The average correlation was 0.54, similar to that found among adults.

For the YAAQ (activity):

1. Wolf AM, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Corsano KA, Rosner B, Kriska A, Willett WC. Reproducibility and validity of a self-administered physical activity questionnaire. Int J Epidemiol. 1994 Oct; 23(5):991-9

2. Tomeo, CT et al. Reproducibility and Validity of a Self-Administered Physical Activity Instrument for Adolescents. Unpublished data

3. Peterson K et al. Validation of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) questions on dietary intake and physical activity among adolescents in grades 9 through 12. Boston, MA: Report from the Harvard School of Public Health to the Division of School and Adolescent Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;1996.

4. Gortmaker SL et al. Impact of a school-based interdisciplinary intervention on diet and physical activity among urban primary school children: eat well and keep moving. Arch Ped Ad Med. 153(9)975-983.

5. Rifas-Shiman SL et al. Comparing physical activity questionnaires for youth: seasonal vs annual format. Am J Prev Med: 2001:20(4)282-285

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