Reliability and validity of the J apanese version of the simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire in community‐dwelling older adults

Aim To translate the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire ( SNAQ ) into J apanese, and assess its reliability and validity in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults. Methods A total of 84 community‐dwelling older adults people aged 65 years or older were included in the present study, and those with a M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination score of <24, had dementia, had digestive disease or who did not complete the examination were excluded. The SNAQ was translated into J apanese according to an internationally accepted methodology. The internal reliability of the SNAQ was evaluated by C ronbach's alpha coefficient. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The dimensionality of the SNAQ was evaluated by factor analysis. Concurrent validity was evaluated by measuring the P earson's correlation coefficient between the SNAQ and M ini‐ N utritional A ssessment S hort‐ F orm scores, G eriatric D epression S cale scores, walking speed test, chair‐stand test, hand grip strength test, or the T imed U p and G o test. Results The mean score of the J apanese version of the SNAQ was 15.5, with a C ronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.545 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.754. Factor analysis showed a single factor with 50.0% explained variance. The SNAQ was significantly associated with the M ini‐ N utritional A ssessment S hort‐ F orm, G eriatric D epression S cale, walking speed test, chair‐stand test and the T imed U p and G o test. Handgrip strength test did not show a significant association with the SNAQ . Conclusion The J apanese version of the SNAQ had sufficient reliability and validity. Furthermore, SNAQ (Japanese version) is useful for evaluating the appetite of community‐dwelling older adults in J apan. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1264–1269.