Validation and reliability of the newly developed food frequency questionnaire for iron intake among pregnant women (P-FeFFQ)

Iron deficiency anemia is common among pregnant women in Malaysia, posing risks to both maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to develop and validate a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess iron intake among pregnant Malaysian women. Method: The P-FeFFQ was created using data from 24-hour dietary recalls and literature reviews on iron-rich foods. An expert panel reviewed an initial list of 74 food items, which was refined to 63 based on content validity index (I-CVI) scores and feedback. Validation was performed against three-day dietary records from 21 pregnant women. Descriptive statistics summarized sociodemographic data and iron intake, while Pearson’s correlation and Bland-Altman plot analyses assessed validity.