Validity and Reliability of a Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for High School-Aged Adolescents

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Jan;53(1):54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.09.004. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the validity and reliability of a nutrition knowledge questionnaire for adolescents.

Methods: An adult questionnaire was administered to 4 high school student convenience samples with and without known prior nutrition education. Questionnaire refinement was determined by item-total correlation, item discrimination, and item difficulty. Mean percentage of correct answers was calculated, and the group difference was assessed using an independent samples t test. A post hoc regression analyzed the association between mean percentage of correct answers and group while controlling for school.

Results: The questionnaire, with 1 question eliminated, had good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach α = 0.83). The nutrition education group (n = 174) demonstrated significantly (P < 0.0001) higher mean percentage of correct answers compared with the no nutrition education group (n = 136). The association between mean percentage of correct answers and the group remained with school controlled.

Conclusions and implications: Results suggest that the questionnaire is valid and reliable for measuring nutrition knowledge in high school-aged adolescents.

Keywords: adolescent; nutrition; reliability and validity; surveys and questionnaires.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schools
  • Students*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires