[What do you eat? Food frequency questionnaire for children and adolescents].

In the German Health Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), which started in May 2003, about 18,000 representatively chosen children and adolescents will be physically examined and interviewed about their health during a period of 3 years. Since nutrition is a main determinant of health, several aspects such as breastfeeding by the mother, dietary behavior, and eating disorders will be determined. In addition to some specific nutrition questions in the general health questionnaire, consumption frequency and portion sizes of the main food groups will be assessed with a newly developed questionnaire. This questionnaire is presented and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed.