Abstract
Citation
Birch LL, Fisher JO, Grimm-Thomas K, Markey CN, Sawyer R, Johnson SL. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Child Feeding Questionnaire: a measure of parental attitudes, beliefs and practices about child feeding and obesity proneness. Appetite 2001 Jun;36(3):201-10.
Abstract
The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) is a self-report measure to assess parental beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding child feeding, with a focus on obesity proneness in children. Confirmatory factor analysis tested a 7-factor model, which included four factors measuring parental beliefs related to child's obesity proneness, and three factors measuring parental control practices and attitudes regarding child feeding. Using a sample of 394 mothers and fathers, three models were tested, and the third model confirmed an acceptable fit, including correlated factors. Internal consistencies for the seven factors were above 0.70. With minor changes, this same 7-factor model was also confirmed in a second sample of 148 mothers and fathers, and a third sample of 126 Hispanic mothers and fathers. As predicted, four of the seven factors were related to an independent measure of children's weight status, providing initial support for the validity of the instrument. The CFQ can be used to assess aspects of child-feeding perceptions, attitudes, and practices and their relationships to children's developing food acceptance patterns, the controls of food intake, and obesity. The CFQ is designed for use with parents of children ranging in age from about 2 to 11 years of age.
Full Text
The full text is available at https://dx.doi.org/10.1006/appe.2001.0398
At A Glance
Domain(s)
Not reported
Measure Type
Questionnaire
Measure Availability
Measure included in article
Number of Items
31 Reported
Study location
Metro/Urban
Denver, Colorado, Central Pennsylvania, USA
Languages
English
Information about Development of Measure
The first version of the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) consisted of twenty four forced-choice items measuring parents' attitudes, beliefs, and tendencies to use control in feeding, as well as parental concerns about child weight status. Items were revised and exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Items regarding parents' perceived responsibility for child-feeding tasks were added.
Study Design
Study Participants
Age
2 - 5 Years
6 - 11 Years
Sex
Female
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic
White
Black/African American
Predominantly Low-income/Low-SES
No
Sample Size
640
Study Design
Design Type
Validation/Reliability
Health Outcomes Assessed
None
Obesity Measures
Weight-for-height percentile scores
BMI Measured or Self-reported
Measured height
Measured weight
Covariates
Sociodemographic characteristics (socioeconomic status, race)
Data Reported on Race/Ethnicity
Quantitative data on study sample
Data Reported on SES
Quantitative data on study sample
SES-related Variables
Income
Education
How To Use
Administration
Who Administered
Third-party administered (e.g., parent/staff)
How Administered
Not reported
Time Required
Not reported
Training Required
Not reported
Instructions on Use
Instructions on instrument use included in article
Data Analysis
Data Collection/Analysis Costs
Not reported
Data Collection/Protocol
Three samples of parents were recruited. Sample one was recruited from central Pennsylvania from parents participating in a larger study on growth, nutrition, and development in five to nine year-old girls. Samples two and three were recruited from a private school and a public school in Denver, CO. These parents were contacted by mail.
Instructions on Data Analysis
Instructions on analysis included in article
Validity (0)
There are no validity tests reported for this measure.
Reliability (1)
| Type of reliability | Construct/subscale assessed | Test/statistic used | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Consistency | Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFP) factor items (Sample one) | Cronbach's alpha | Alpha (Perceived responsibility) = 0.88; Alpha (Perceived parent weight) = 0.71; Alpha (Perceived child weight) = 0.83; Alpha (Concern about child weight) = 0.75; Alpha (Pressure to eat) = 0.70; Alpha (Restriction) = 0.73; Alpha (Monitoring) = 0.92 |