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Influence of the recall period on self-reported alcohol intake

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 60–63 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the accuracy of recall on self-reported alcohol intake.

Design: Population-based random sample.

Setting: The Danish Health and Morbidity Survey 1994.

Subjects: The study is based on 6,354 persons chosen at random among the adult Danish citizens. The response rate was 77%.

Main outcome measure: Number of alcoholic drinks consumed on each day during the last week.

Results: For self-reported alcohol intake on the last Saturday, respondents with a recall period of one day have the shortest recall period (reference group) and respondents with a recall period of seven days the longest. Respondents with a recall period of seven days reported significant lower alcohol intake (Odds Ratio: 0.56). The reported alcohol intake declines when the recall period increases. The decline in recall of alcohol intake is very clear already after 2–3 days.

Conclusion: The systematic decrease in reported alcohol use with increased recall period indicates problems in correctly reporting alcohol intake for a full week. Many surveys use recall periods that are longer than a week and, therefore, underreported alcohol intake is expected to be even higher.

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Acknowledgements

I thank my colleagues at the National Institute of Public Health for their advice and support.

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  1. National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Ola Ekholm

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  1. Ola Ekholm
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Correspondence to Ola Ekholm.

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Ekholm, O. Influence of the recall period on self-reported alcohol intake. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 60–63 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601746

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