Open AccessThe validity and reliability of the Dietary Index for a Child's Eating in 2–8‐year old children living in New Zealand
Author(s) -
Delshad Maryam,
Beck Kathryn L.,
Hurst Pamela R.,
Mugridge Owen,
Conlon Cathryn A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
maternal and child nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1740-8709
pISSN - 1740-8695
DOI - 10.1111/mcn.12758
Subject(s) - medicine , intraclass correlation , dice , kappa , cronbach's alpha , construct validity , spearman's rank correlation coefficient , reliability (semiconductor) , wilcoxon signed rank test , standard score , cohen's kappa , validity , criterion validity , gerontology , physical therapy , statistics , psychometrics , clinical psychology , mathematics , power (physics) , physics , geometry , quantum mechanics , mann–whitney u test
This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Dietary Index for a Child's Eating (DICE) in children living in New Zealand (NZ). Caregivers of healthy children aged 2–8 years completed a 4‐day estimated food record (4DFR) for their child and completed the DICE online on two separate occasions, 8 weeks apart. Relative validity was assessed by comparing the DICE and 4DFR total score and component subscores using the Wilcoxon test, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, cross‐classification, and weighted kappa (ĸ) statistic. For evaluating construct validity, the DICE total score was compared with energy and nutrient intake from the 4DFR using linear contrast analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (Cronbach's α) and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess the reliability of DICE. From a possible score of 100, the mean ± standard deviation of DICE was 78.2 ± 11.5 and from the 4DFR, was 73.8 ± 10.8, with a positive correlation ( r = 0.72; p < 0.001) and moderate agreement (ĸ = 0.49). Cross‐classification showed 61.9% were correctly categorised into the same tertile group from DICE and the 4DFR. Participants in the highest tertile of DICE had higher intakes of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, and calcium. Good agreement (α = 0.87) was found for reliability. DICE is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of children's adherence to a healthy diet, as recommended by the NZ Ministry of Health Food and Nutrition guidelines.