The questions

This article is based on data from the 24-hour dietary recall component of the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) — Nutrition.  Respondents were asked to list all foods and beverages consumed during the 24 hours before the day of their interview; specifically, from midnight to midnight.  Interviewers used the Automated Multi-pass Method,^10,11  with a five-step approach to help respondents remember what they had had to eat/drink:

• quick list (respondents reported all items in whatever order they wished)

• questions about specific food categories and frequently forgotten foods

• questions about the time and type of meal

• questions seeking more detailed, precise descriptions of foods/beverages and quantities consumed

• a final review.

A sub-sample of the population responded to a second 24-hour recall a few days later to help assess the day-to-day variation in an individual’s food/beverage intake.

People who replied “None” when asked “What type of salt do you usually add to your food at the table?” were classified as never adding salt at the table.  Otherwise, respondents were asked how often they added salt to their food:  rarely, occasionally, or very often.

Respondents were asked about certain long-term health conditions that were expected to last or had already lasted six months or more and that had been diagnosed by a health professional.  Those who answered “yes” to “Do you have high blood pressure?” were defined as having hypertension.