Dietary assessment and physical activity measurements toolkit

Project development


The measurement of diet and physical activity are difficult and complex and there is a lack of agreement on the best methods to use in population studies. The rationale of the Diet and Physical Activity Measurement Toolkit was that the provision of a comprehensive resource of methods used in the assessment of diet and physical activity would be invaluable to a wide-ranging audience engaged in population health research. Too often the wrong instruments are used in a particular context and useful data are not gained because of the tool used in the investigation. It is hoped that the provision of a toolkit that provides information about instruments available, the context in which they should and should not be used, along with guidance for their use, will prove beneficial for those embarking on new research projects.

A crucial aspect to the development of the toolkit was engaging with experts in diet and physical assessment methodology throughout the UK and internationally. Their input and contributions to the toolkit are gratefully acknowledged. A local Project Board and a PHSRN Strategic Board oversaw the project.