title: Development and validation of a nutrition knowledge questionnaire for a Canadian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to develop and validate a nutrition knowledge questionnaire in a sample of French Canadians from the province of Quebec, taking into account dietary guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thirty-eight-item questionnaire was developed by the research team and evaluated for content validity by an expert panel, and then administered to respondents. Face validity and construct validity were measured in a pre-test. Exploratory factor analysis and covariance structure analysis were performed to verify the structure of the questionnaire and identify problematic items. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated through a validation study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six nutrition and psychology experts, fifteen registered dietitians (RD) and 180 lay people participated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Content validity evaluation resulted in the removal of two items and reformulation of one item. Following face validity, one item was reformulated. Construct validity was found to be adequate, with higher scores for RD v. non-RD (21·5 (sd 2·1) v. 15·7 (sd 3·0) out of 24, P<0·001). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire contained only one factor. Covariance structure analysis led to removal of sixteen items. Internal consistency for the overall questionnaire was adequate (Cronbach's α=0·73). Assessment of test-retest reliability resulted in significant associations for the total knowledge score (r=0·59, P<0·001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This nutrition knowledge questionnaire was found to be a suitable instrument which can be used to measure levels of nutrition knowledge in a Canadian population. It could also serve as a model for the development of similar instruments in other populations.
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Maude
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradette-Laplante
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Élise
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Carbonneau
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bégin
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robitaille
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desroches
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vohl
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corneau
authors.affiliation: 1Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods,Laval University,2440 boulevard Hochelaga,Québec,QC,Canada,G1V 0A6.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemieux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D064686:Nutritionists; D011792:Quebec; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Canada’s Food Guide; Dietary recommendations; Healthy eating; Nutrition knowledge; Questionnaire validation