Use of a dietary diary and interview to estimate the food intake of children.

A recently completed large-scale longitudinal dietary survey is described. The diary and interview method was used within the normal school organisation and proved to be a very acceptable and efficient means of collecting dietary data. Very few problems were encountered with the technique and a relatively low volunteer rate was compensated for by a very low dropout rate. Useful quantitative dietary data is thought to have been obtained and this will be reported at a later date. The data required were primarily concerned with frequency of eating and macronutrient intake; the diary and interview method may be less acceptable for other uses and with other age groups.