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Title: Development of an instrument measuring the perceived attributes of implementing a healthy diet innovation in the Lower Mississippi Delta

Author
item HUYE, HOLLY - University Of Southern Mississippi
item MOLAISON, ELAINE - University Of Southern Mississippi
item CONNELL, CAROL - University Of Southern Mississippi
item DOWNEY, LAURA - University Of Southern Mississippi
item ZOELLNER, JAMIE - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item MADSON, MICHAEL - University Of Southern Mississippi

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2012
Publication Date: 9/1/2012
Citation: Huye, H.F., Molaison, E.F., Connell, C.L., Downey, L.H., Zoellner, J., Madson, M.B. 2012. Development of an instrument measuring the perceived attributes of implementing a healthy diet innovation in the Lower Mississippi Delta [abstract]. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 112:A79.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this research was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to assess individuals' perceived attributes of implementing a healthy diet. Using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory as a conceptual framework, this descriptive study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 included group panel discussions to explore attributes related to a healthy diet and assist in the development of items. Phase 2 consisted of open and closed card sorts to assess content and face validity of items. The instrument was pilot and field tested in Phase 3, followed by item and factor analyses and reliability estimates of resulting factors. Phase 1 resulted in the development of 69 items based on three new identified attributes: portability, protective, and generational, as well as the five key DOI attributes: relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, trialability, and observability. Phase 2 card sorts resulted in 37 remaining items that were evaluated by an expert panel and pilot tested. A final 39-item instrument was field tested with 331 adults participating in a 6-month nutrition education intervention in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Thirty-five of the 39 items were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis, resulting in a four-factor solution with 21 items that accounted for 45% shared variance. Factors were labeled according to the aforementioned attributes. Chronbach's alpha for the four factors ranged from 0.65 to 0.88. After further refinement and testing, the instrument could be used to assess nutrition interventions designed to promote attributes having the greatest influence on implementation of a healthy diet.