An evaluation of the validity and reliability of a food behavior checklist modified for children.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to report the construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Food Behavior Checklist modified for children (FBC-MC), with low-income, Youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)-eligible children.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional research design, construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (weighted least squares method), and internal consistency reliability for 3 subscales was assessed using Cronbach alpha.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven children from low-income families completed the FBC-MC. Indicator tests suggest adequate model fit (comparative fit index = 0.962; root mean square error of approximation = 0.064) and item factor loadings were significant for all subscales (P < .05). The instrument appeared to have adequate reliability for 1 subscale (fruit and vegetable consumption, alpha = 0.67), but not for the other 2 (milk consumption, alpha = 0.43; healthful eating behaviors, alpha = 0.56).


CONCLUSIONS
The FBC-MC may be a suitable instrument for evaluating dietary behaviors among Youth EFNEP-eligible children; however, more work is needed to establish internal reliability and criterion validity.
Branscum
Paul
P
The Health Promotion and Education Program, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. branscpw@mail.uc.edu
Sharma
Manoj
M
Kaye
Gail
G
Succop
Paul
P
D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D011203:Poverty; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*