Validity and Reliability of a Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire in an Adult Student Population

Abstract

Objective: To assess the validity and reliability of the Kuwait Adult Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (KANKQ) in adult students as an initial step to validation in the general adult population.

Methods: Participants (n = 253; aged ≥21 years) were categorized based on academic background and designated into groups known to differ in nutrition knowledge. Participants completed the questionnaire twice. Independent-samples t test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach α were used to assess reliability and validity (P < .05).

Results: Participants with health-related (n = 144) and nutrition-training backgrounds (n = 58) scored significantly higher than did those without them (n = 109 and 178, respectively; P < .001), indicating good construct validity of the KANKQ. Test-retest reliability (r = .67; P < .001) and internal consistency (α = .81) of the questionnaire were moderate to high.

Conclusions and implications: Further testing of the KANKQ in workplaces and public areas is required for validation in the general adult population. Applicability to neighboring countries of similar background is warranted.

Keywords: Kuwait; knowledge; nutrition; questionnaire; validity.