title: A reliable, valid questionnaire indicates that preference for dietary fat declines when following a reduced-fat diet.
abstract: This study establishes the reliability and validity of the Fat Preference Questionnaire, a self-administered instrument to assess preference for dietary fat. Respondents select the food which tastes better and is eaten more frequently from 19 sets of food. Each set is comprised of related foods differing in fat content. The questionnaire was administered to women in laboratory-based (n=63), cross-sectional (n=150), and weight-loss (n=71) studies. The percentage of food sets in which high-fat foods were reported to "taste better" (TASTE score) and to be "eaten more often" (FREQ score) was determined. A measure of dietary fat restriction (DIFF) was created by subtracting TASTE from FREQ. Food intake was assessed by direct measure, 24-h recall, or food diary. Additionally, participants completed a standard survey assessing dietary restraint. Test-retest correlations were high (r=0.75-0.94). TASTE and FREQ scores were positively correlated with total fat intake (r=0.22-0.63). DIFF scores positively correlated with dietary restraint (r=0.39-0.52). Participants in the weight-loss trial experienced declines in fat consumption, TASTE and FREQ scores, and BMI values, and an increase in DIFF scores. Weight loss correlated with declines in FREQ (r=0.36) scores and increases in DIFF scores (r=-0.35). These data suggest that preference for dietary fat declines when following a reduced-fat diet and an increase in restraint for intake of dietary fat is important for weight loss. The Fat Preference Questionnaire is a stable, easily-administered instrument that can be used in research and clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 226 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. mvh111@psu.edu
authors.forename: Jenny H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ledikwe
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ello-Martin
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Pelkman
authors.forename: Leann L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mannino
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Rolls
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats