Youth/ Adolescent Questionnaire (YAQ)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Requesting information, questionnaires

Coding
Analysis
Billing
References

I.

Requesting Information, Questionnaires:

1.
Where do I obtain information regarding the food frequency questionnaire?
On our website:
https://regepi.bwh.harvard.edu/health
Contact Helaine Rockett (helaine.rockett@channing.harvard.edu) with questions related to the
YAQ.
2.
How do I order questionnaires?
Go to our website:
https://regepi.bwh.harvard.edu/health
and download the Billing Form. Fill out the form and email it to
helaine.rockett@channing.harvard.edu
2.
Is there a minimum order requirement?
No, though it is quite an effort to analyze only one questionnaire, and so do not recommend this.
3.
How should the participants fill out the food frequency questionnaire?
The questionnaire should be coded in a #2 pencil.
4.
On average, how long does it take a participant to complete the food frequency
questionnaire?
The questionnaire usually takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

II.

Coding:

1.
What is the difference between a self code and Harvard code?
Besides the analysis cost difference ($3.75 vs. $13.00), the main difference is who does the
preparation of the questionnaires for scanning and analysis. The self code is the researcher
or YOU doing the preparation whereas the Harvard code is Harvard or WE doing the
preparation (The only exception is Harvard does not fill in the id. The researcher always
has to fill in the id on each questionnaire)
2.

What does it mean to be a self-coder?

A self-coder is responsible for preparing the questionnaires for scanning and analysis. The
preparation includes several steps:
Code the study participants ID in the appropriate box
Fill in codes related to open-ended questions-cereal, margarine, and other foods. Each
self-coder will receive coding instructions, which explains the procedure, along with
codes for margarines, oils, vitamins, cereals and foods.
Erase stray marks.
Fill in pass-thru bubbles for blank questions. The pass-thru bubbles are in the right hand
margin, in the blue column with corresponding numbers to each question. The pass-thru
bubble is filled in to confirm that the question is a true blank and not a question the
scanner missed.
Rip off the spine so sheets of the questionnaire are single or free.
3.
I am a self-coder. Can I obtain instructions for these duties?
Yes, please refer to our website: https://wchanning.bwh.harvard.edu/KIDS/files.
4.
How should my questionnaires look upon return for processing?
Each questionnaire should be completed using a number two pencil. Please refrain from
placing labels, holes, stray marks, staples or names on each questionnaire. Each
questionnaire must be assigned an identification number (ID) to be analyzed. Due to HIPPA
regulations, any questionnaire received with personal identification such as a name or social
security number will be returned to the investigator. If this information is already on your
questionnaire, the identifying information must be crossed out or erased before submitting for
processing so that it is not visible.
5.
How should I assign an identification number or ID?
Each questionnaire requires an ID number before it can be scanned and analyzed. You may
choose unique numbers that have 8 or less digits. Double check that duplicate IDs were not
assigned. Please take into account the size of your study and any follow-up studies that may
follow when assigning IDs. The ID needs only to be meaningful to the investigator. You do not
need to assign leading nor trailing zeros.
6.
How should I ship the questionnaires?
You can ship the questionnaires by USPS, Fed Ex, UPS and other couriers. The questionnaires
should not be paper clipped or binder clipped together. Keep the questionnaire together and
either put rubber bands around them or put in box with packing material to keep the stack of
questionnaires together.

III.

Analysis:

1.
Where should I send the questionnaire to be analyzed?
All questionnaires should be sent to:
Laura Sampson, MS, RD / Helaine Rockett MS RD
Harvard School of Public Health
Nutrition Department, bldg. 2, rm 315

665 Huntington Ave

Boston, MA 02115.
2.
What type of output will I receive and how will I receive it?
You will get a winzipped file of the analysis. Please refer to the sample analysis located on our
website.
3.
How do I get WinZip program?
If you do not have WinZip, you can go to winzip.com. There is an evaluation program that you
can download and programs to purchase that will open WinZip attachments.
4.

How do I open the contents of the WinZip attachments?

.csv files use Excel
.csv.label files use Microsoft Notepad or Wordpad
.raw, .rawlogs, .contribute, and .score files use Microsoft Word.

5.
How often is the nutrient database updated?
The databases are updated every two-four years.
6.
What is the turnaround time for FFQs?
Questionnaires are analyzed on a first come, first serve basis. Please allow between 6 to 8 weeks
from the time we receive your questionnaires. The exceptions to this time line is the last 2 weeks
of December, August, and if you send large order (500 or more questionnaires). These orders
will probably be turned around in the same time span but there is a chance, we might also need
some additional time. All FFQs will be returned using FedEx upon completion of analysis. Data
will be returned in a WinZip attachment.

IV.

Billing:

1.
When will my institution receive an invoice?
We bill at two (2) different times:
the initial order of blank questionnaires- invoice is sent with the questionnaires
the analysis-invoice is sent with the analysis
We do not bill in full in the beginning because some studies have different study time periods
and the number of questionnaires to be analyzed may change. You will receive 2 invoice
numbers. One check for both questionnaires and analyses will be accepted.
2.
I have a large study; is it possible to receive a discount?
We try to keep our costs as low as possible and so do not give discounts for large orders.
Students utilizing the YAQ for their private studies may contact Helaine Rockett for more detail
on billing.
3.
Can I use a PO?
Your institution can generate a purchase order, but it is not mandatory for payment. Checks
should be made out to Harvard University and mailed to the following:

Laura Sampson, MS, RD

Harvard School of Public Health
Nutrition Department, bldg. 2, rm 315
665 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115.
4.
Can I use a credit card?
At this time, we are only accepting checks or purchase orders.
5.
Do you have a tax ID number?
The tax ID number for Harvard University is .
6.
Can my institution send you a W-9 form?
Yes. Please email Helaine.Rockett@channing.harvard.edu

V.
References:
For the YAQ:
1.
Rockett, H.R., A.M. Wolf, and G.A. Colditz Development, and reproducibility of a food
frequency questionnaire to assess diets of older children and adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc.,
1995. 95(3): p. 336-40.
A one-year reproducibility study of the preliminary adolescent food frequency was conducted on
179 children, ages 9-18 years. The average correlation for 10 nutrients and calories was 0.55 and
the range was 0.24 (Protein) to 0.92 (Carotene). In general, the reproducibility was stronger
among females (r=0.57) than males (0.50). We observed no trend of improving correlations with
age.
2.
Rockett, H.R.H. and G.A. Colditz, Assessing diets of children and adolescents. Am J Clin
Nutr, 1997. 65: p. 1116S-22S.
Review of nutritional assessment methods used specifically in young people.
3.
Rockett, H.R., et al., Validation of a youth/adolescent food frequency questionnaire. Prev
Med, 1997. 26(6): p. 808-16.
Validity of this food frequency against dietary recalls was also completed on a sample of 261
youths (ages 9 to 18 years). The correlation coefficients between mean energy-adjusted nutrients
ranged from 0.21 for sodium to 0.58 for folate. The average correlation was 0.54, similar to that
found among adults.

For the YAAQ (activity):

1. Wolf AM, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Corsano KA, Rosner B, Kriska
A, Willett WC. Reproducibility and validity of a self-administered physical activity
questionnaire. Int J Epidemiol. 1994 Oct; 23(5):991-9
2. Tomeo, CT et al. Reproducibility and Validity of a Self-Administered Physical Activity
Instrument for Adolescents. Unpublished data
4

3. Peterson K et al. Validation of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
questions on dietary intake and physical activity among adolescents in grades 9 through 12.
Boston, MA: Report from the Harvard School of Public Health to the Division of School and
Adolescent Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;1996.
4. Gortmaker SL et al. Impact of a school-based interdisciplinary intervention on diet and
physical activity among urban primary school children: eat well and keep moving. Arch Ped
Ad Med. 153(9)975-983.
5. Rifas-Shiman SL et al. Comparing physical activity questionnaires for youth: seasonal vs
annual format. Am J Prev Med: 2001:20(4)282-285