0240/2022 - Food consumption scale validation in VAMOS Program: a proposal to assess eating behavior changes in Brazil Food consumption scale validation in VAMOS Program: a proposal to assess eating behavior changes in Brazil
Este estudo teve como objetivo validar a escala de consumo de frequência (ECF) e estabelecer pontos de corte para avaliar mudanças no comportamento alimentar dos participantes do Programa VAMOS. O estudo baseou-se em uma intervenção comunitária realizada em 2019 em 70 cidades brasileiras, com 458 adultos da Atenção Básica. O questionário era composto por 12 questões sobre o consumo de frequência alimentar. As questões foram inseridas no fluxo de trabalho analítico, divididas em análise descritiva, análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória (EFA), modelagem da teoria de resposta ao item (TRI) e construção e validade de um escore de questionário aplicado. EFA indicou uma estrutura de dois fatores, com três itens alimentares "saudáveis" (vegetais crus, frutas e vegetais cozidos) e três "não saudáveis" (bebidas açucaradas, doces e a substituição de refeições por lanches). As probabilidades das respostas dos itens indicam um consumo diário de dois itens saudáveis e um consumo único ou não semanal de itens não saudáveis. Por fim, as quatro categorias propostas para o ECF (“Saudável”, “Quase Saudável”, “Pouco Saudável” e “Não Saudável”) podem fornecer respostas ao longo do tempo. A proposta do ECF pode ser usada efetivamente para avaliação nutricional do programa. Além disso, é possível atribuir a mudança de comportamento em usuários da atenção básica brasileira com seis itens.
Palavras-chave:
Dieta Saudável; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Saúde Pública; Psicometria.
Abstract:
This study aimed to validate the frequency consumption scale (FCS) and establish cut-off points to assess changes in the eating behavior of participants in the VAMOS Program. The study was based on a community intervention conducted in 2019 in 70 Brazilian cities, with 458 adults from Primary Care. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions about food frequency consumption. The questions were inserted into the analytical workflow, divided into the descriptive analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA), item response theory (IRT) modeling, and construction and validity of an applied questionnaire score. EFA indicated a two-factor structure, with three 'healthy' (raw vegetables, fruits, and cooked vegetables) and three 'unhealthy' (sugary drinks, sweets, and the replacement of meals with snacks) eating items. Items responses' probabilities indicate a daily consumption of two healthy and once or nonweekly consumption of unhealthy items. Finally, the four categories proposed for FCS ("Healthy", "Almost Healthy", "Unhealthy", and "Very Unhealthy") can respond over time. Therefore, the FCS proposal can be used effectively for program nutrition evaluation. Furthermore, it is possible to attribute behavior change in Brazilian primary care users with six items.
Keywords:
Healthy Diet; Primary Health Care; Public Health; Psychometrics.
Food consumption scale validation in VAMOS Program: a proposal to assess eating behavior changes in Brazil
Resumo (abstract):
This study aimed to validate the frequency consumption scale (FCS) and establish cut-off points to assess changes in the eating behavior of participants in the VAMOS Program. The study was based on a community intervention conducted in 2019 in 70 Brazilian cities, with 458 adults from Primary Care. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions about food frequency consumption. The questions were inserted into the analytical workflow, divided into the descriptive analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA), item response theory (IRT) modeling, and construction and validity of an applied questionnaire score. EFA indicated a two-factor structure, with three 'healthy' (raw vegetables, fruits, and cooked vegetables) and three 'unhealthy' (sugary drinks, sweets, and the replacement of meals with snacks) eating items. Items responses' probabilities indicate a daily consumption of two healthy and once or nonweekly consumption of unhealthy items. Finally, the four categories proposed for FCS ("Healthy", "Almost Healthy", "Unhealthy", and "Very Unhealthy") can respond over time. Therefore, the FCS proposal can be used effectively for program nutrition evaluation. Furthermore, it is possible to attribute behavior change in Brazilian primary care users with six items.
Palavras-chave (keywords):
Healthy Diet; Primary Health Care; Public Health; Psychometrics.
