The one-day recall dietary survey: a review of its usefulness to estimate protein and calorie intake.

This paper reviews the usefulness of the 1-day recall method for assessing calorie and protein intake. To this end, it discusses the basic assumptions in determining nutrient intake of either populations or individuals. It is concluded that the 1-day recall survey is valid and reliable to estimate mean dietary calorie and protein intake in population groups. Its reliability to estimate individual intake is, however, low, and similar to that of other more complicated dietary survey techniques. In consequence, frequent surveys per person are required to reliably estimate usual individual intake. Basic assumptions necessary to infer nutritional status as well as main limiting nutrients from dietary surveys are discussed. It is concluded that as long as basic objectives and assumptions are clear, the 1-day recall survey is a useful and practical tool estimate calorie and protein intake of population groups. In addition, a simplified one-day recall survey may be a suitable means for assessing calorie and protein individual intake provided that enough number of surveys per subject are performed.