title: Healthy eating vital sign: a new assessment tool for eating behaviors.
abstract: Introduction. Most dietary questionnaires are not created for use in a clinical setting for an adult health exam. We created the Healthy Eating Vital Sign (HEVS) to assess eating behaviors associated with excess weight. This study investigated the validity and reliability of the HEVS. Methods. Using a cross-sectional study design, participants responded to the HEVS and the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (BFFQ). We analyzed the data descriptively, and, with Pearson's correlation and Cronbach coefficient alpha. Results. We found moderate correlation (rho > 0.3) between multiple items of the HEVS and BFFQ. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.49. Conclusion. Our results support the criterion validity and internal reliability of the HEVS as compared to the BFFQ. The HEVS can help launch a dialogue between patients and providers to monitor and potentially manage dietary behaviors associated with many chronic health conditions, including obesity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Ste A, SLC, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L J
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.affiliation: Pharmacotherapy Outcomes Research Center, University of Utah, 421 Wakara Way, Suite 208, SLC, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, SLC, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Danita
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arguello
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, SLC, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Trever
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, SLC, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shaw