title: Development and Validation of a Brief Instrument to Measure Knowledge About the Energy Content of Meals.
abstract: To develop and validate a brief scale to assess knowledge about the energy content of meals for adults in Switzerland.
  
  
  
  Based on a random sample, the scale was developed using a Rasch model approach. To assess validity and reliability, the model was replicated and scores were compared with another nutrition knowledge measure and with dietitian trainees' scores. A test-retest was performed.
  
  
  
  Survey studies included 477, 505, and 136 participants from the general population and 59 dietician trainees. The Rasch scale consisted of 11 multiple-choice items ranging from easy to difficult and correlated with general nutrition knowledge (r = .47; P < .001; r2= .22). Dietitian trainees achieved higher scores (P < .001; d = 2.17) than did people from the general population; test-retest reliability results were r = .73, P < .001, and r2= .53.
  
  
  
  Results showed that the scale is efficient, valid, and reliable for use in the general population in Switzerland.
authors.affiliation: Consumer Behavior, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: sonja.moetteli@hest.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mötteli
authors.affiliation: Consumer Behavior, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barbey
authors.affiliation: Consumer Behavior, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.affiliation: Consumer Behavior, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siegrist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Rasch scale; energy content of meals; practical nutrition knowledge; questionnaire