[Table/Fig-1]:

Strengths and limitations of different methods of dietary intake assessment

Method	Description	Strengths	Limitations
Household consumption and expenditure survey (HCES)	Detailed information on household expenditure for a month is collected and percapita expenditure on food is calculated from this	For large ecological studies	Based on recall Price of food items may fluctuate over the survey period complicate computing Errors in reporting (recall and deliberate)
Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ)	Participant asked the frequency of consumption (daily, weekly, monthly) of the different foods listed in the questionnaire	Easy to administer Can cover a large sample in a short time Can be admini stered by non-specialised person	Errors in estimating potion size Over-reporting or underreporting of more expensive foods (which are thought to be healthy)
24 Hour recall	The respondent (individual or for a family) is asked to remember food items intake (type and quantity) in the previous day	More accurate than the FFQ method Not very difficult to administer	Retrospective method and relies on memory. Cannot be validated. One day may not be representative. Can be considered intrusive.
Three day weighment	All the food weighed before preparing	High quality data	Needs a trained worker Time consuming Only a small sample can be covered Can be considered intrusive High respondent motivation to participate.
Food record/diary (the current study)	All the foods and their potion size recorded and quantity measured using standardised cups/spoons	Relatively more accurate to get total food prepared, consumed and intra-family consumption.	Researcher and respondent fatigue if done for a prolonged period Relies on memory and on respondent’s statement