Premium
Development of a Brief Questionnaire on Dietary Behavior for Use in Low‐Income Populations
Author(s) -
Cohen Rhoda,
Hanson Charlotte,
Briefel Ronette,
Guthrie Joanne
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a159-c
Subject(s) - environmental health , overweight , gerontology , test (biology) , service (business) , medicine , psychology , business , marketing , obesity , paleontology , biology
We describe development of a short, standardized measure assessing dietary behaviors targeted by USDA's Food Stamp Nutrition Education. The process includes: 1) identification of candidate questions via systematic review of existing survey instruments, followed by expert review and recommendations; 2) a first draft questionnaire based on candidate questions; 3) a second draft addressing new dietary guidelines; 4) cognitive testing with White (W), non‐Hispanic black (NHB), and Hispanic (H) women drawn from the target population in rural and urban locations across 3 geographic regions; 5) questionnaire revision based on cognitive testing; 6) field testing via telephone survey methodology (n=453 women (mean age 34y; 36% W, 41% NHB, 16% H; 65% overweight/obese, all current or recent Food Stamp Program participants); 7) analysis of field test results; 8) final recommended questionnaire. We found low but significant inverse correlations between BMI and reported consumption of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, whole wheat grains, and eating breakfast. More research will be needed to establish the instrument's validity. If successful, this measure could be a cost‐effective, feasible means of collecting data to assess progress in improving diets of low‐income Americans. It could also be added to a range of existing studies and surveys, allowing more research into the interrelationships of food assistance program participation, diet quality, and participant well being. Research was funded by USDA's Economic Research Service and Food and Nutrition Service.