Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The study aimed to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire as an aid to assess the nutrition friendliness of schools by assessing nutrition knowledge of early adolescents. Considering the school education as the major source of information, NCERT books of science for class 1st-8th were referred and 64 items were selected initially for the questionnaire. The study participants included 46.7 per cent boys, and 53.3 per cent girls of early adolescent age. For validating the questionnaire formed, it was tested in school setting. Validity (face and content), item difficulty and reliability (internal consistency reliability and testretest reliability) of the questionnaire were the main outcome measured. Reliability coefficients such as Spearman-Brown and Cronbach’s alpha were calculated for internal consistency of the test and for test-retest reliability Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used. Final questionnaire developed had 39 items under 3 subscales. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.73 for overall test along with significantly higher and positive (r = 0.79, P < 0.001) test-retest reliability coefficient. Mean scores from the questionnaire were lower in boys (Mean 59.07 ± 4.98, min: 47, max: 67) than girls (Mean: 60.75 ± 4.17, min: 56, max: 72) (p=0.3231). This tool had good reliability and also easy-to-administer with practical applications to assess nutrition friendliness of schools.