Researchers created and tested a new questionnaire to help doctors accurately measure how much vitamin K people eat. Vitamin K is important for bone health and blood clotting. This study focused on overweight adults in Mexico and checked whether the questionnaire gave reliable results. The tool asks people about the foods they eat and calculates their vitamin K intake. Getting accurate measurements helps doctors understand if people are getting enough vitamin K and can guide better health recommendations for this population.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new food questionnaire could accurately measure how much vitamin K people consume in their diet
  • Who participated: Overweight adults living in Mexico who completed the questionnaire and provided dietary information
  • Key finding: The questionnaire appears to be a reliable tool for measuring vitamin K intake from both plant-based sources (vitamin K1) and animal-based sources (vitamin K2) in this population
  • What it means for you: If you’re overweight or live in Mexico, doctors may soon have a better way to check if you’re getting enough vitamin K through food. This could help identify dietary gaps and improve personalized nutrition advice, though more research is needed to confirm benefits.

The Research Details

Researchers developed a questionnaire that asks people detailed questions about the foods they eat and how often they eat them. They then tested this questionnaire on overweight Mexican adults to see if it accurately measured vitamin K intake. The study compared the questionnaire results against other methods of measuring vitamin K to check for accuracy. This type of validation study is important because it ensures the tool works correctly before doctors use it in real-world settings.

Measuring what people eat is tricky because people don’t always remember exactly what they consumed. A validated questionnaire gives doctors a reliable, practical tool they can use in clinics and research studies. This is especially important for vitamin K because it’s found in many different foods and plays important roles in health.

This is a validation study, which means it tests whether a tool works as intended. The study was published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, indicating it met scientific standards. However, the sample size and specific statistical measures weren’t provided in the abstract, so readers should look for the full paper for complete quality details.

What the Results Show

The questionnaire successfully measured both types of vitamin K: vitamin K1 (found in leafy greens and vegetables) and vitamin K2 (found in animal products and fermented foods). The tool appears to give consistent and accurate results when used with overweight Mexican adults. This suggests the questionnaire could be useful for doctors and researchers studying nutrition in this specific population. The validation process confirmed that the questions asked were appropriate and the calculations were reliable.

The study likely examined how well the questionnaire compared to other dietary assessment methods and whether it could identify differences in vitamin K intake between individuals. These secondary results help confirm that the tool can distinguish between people who eat different amounts of vitamin K.

Previous questionnaires for measuring vitamin K intake existed, but this is one of the first validated specifically for overweight Mexican adults. This population may have different eating patterns and food availability compared to other groups, making a population-specific tool valuable. The study adds to the growing body of research on accurate dietary assessment methods.

The study focused only on overweight adults in Mexico, so results may not apply to people of normal weight or those in other countries with different food cultures. The abstract doesn’t provide sample size details, which makes it difficult to assess how many people were studied. Additional research would be needed to confirm the tool works equally well across different age groups and weight categories.

The Bottom Line

This questionnaire may be useful for healthcare providers working with overweight Mexican adults who need vitamin K assessment. It appears reliable for research and clinical settings in this population. However, it should be used alongside other nutritional assessments rather than as the only tool. (Confidence level: Moderate - based on validation study results)

Healthcare providers in Mexico, nutritionists working with Mexican populations, and researchers studying vitamin K intake should find this tool valuable. Overweight adults in Mexico may benefit from more accurate vitamin K assessments. This tool may not be appropriate for other populations until further validation is done.

The questionnaire can provide immediate feedback about vitamin K intake. However, seeing health benefits from improved vitamin K intake typically takes weeks to months, depending on the individual and their current vitamin K status.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vitamin K intake by logging servings of leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and fermented foods. Set a weekly goal (e.g., 90 micrograms daily for women, 120 for men) and monitor progress.
  • Use the app to identify which vitamin K-rich foods you enjoy most, then commit to adding one additional serving daily. Create reminders to include leafy greens at lunch or fermented foods as snacks.
  • Weekly review of vitamin K intake patterns. Track which food categories contribute most to your intake. Compare weeks to identify trends and adjust meals accordingly. Share results with your healthcare provider during check-ups.

This study validates a measurement tool and does not provide medical advice. Vitamin K intake recommendations vary by individual health status, medications (especially blood thinners), and medical conditions. Anyone taking blood-thinning medications or with bleeding disorders should consult their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes related to vitamin K. This research is specific to overweight Mexican adults and may not apply to other populations. Always discuss dietary changes with your doctor or registered dietitian before implementation.