Development And Evaluation Of Food Behaviour And Activity Checklist For Adolescents (FBACA)

Abstract

It becomes increasingly important to recognize dietary and physical activity practices adolescents are following in this transitioning environment because this is a critical stage in the etiology of some adult NCDs. Objectives: Food Behaviour and Activity Checklist for Adolescents (FBACA) was developed and evaluated to assess quality of diet and activity patterns of school children based on frequency. Method: Complete socio"economic status, food"behavior, physical activity and 24"hour dietary recall (3day) data was collected from 631 school children aged 8"15 years. Anthropometric measurements were carried out. FBACA was developed and validated on the basis of psychometric properties. Results: FBACA comprised of 20 dietary and physical activity components. FBACA assessed and scored quality of relative dietary and physical activity practices followed. Socio economic parameters did not have any significant effect on the FBACA scores. Almost all the subjects were in "need improvement” category. Highest scores for individual FBACA components were for vegetable consumption followed by fruits and breakfast consumption. Analysis of psychometric properties of FBACA showed its components conformed to most of the dietary and physical activity guidelines. Correlation of Total FBACA scores with energy was very low indicating independence of FBACA from energy intakes. FBACA uncoupled dietary quality with dietary quantity. Fifteen of twenty components explained 91% of variance in FBACA scores. FBACA was found to be a reliable multidimensional tool. Conclusion: FBACA is a simple, valid and reliable tool for measuring quality of dietary and physical activity practices of school" children. Such tools should be developed for all age groups. General population can be trained to evaluate quality of their own diets using FBACA. It should be used in conjunction with simple behaviour"change communication messages to bring about positive behavioural changes amongst populations and curb the deleterious effects of 'Nutrition Transition'.