Development and application of the Meal and Snack Assessment (MESA) quality scale for children and adolescents using item response theory.

BACKGROUND: Meals differ in terms of food items and nutritional quality. The aim of the present study was to propose a scale to measure the meals quality of schoolchildren according to food processing degree, perform a preliminary evaluation of the scale's validity and reliability and apply the scale to a representative sample of schoolchildren in a city in southern Brazil. METHODS: A methodological study based on the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) of item response theory (IRT) with analysis of secondary data was carried out in 6,399 schoolchildren of 6-15y-old attending 2nd to 5th grades of public elementary schools in Florianópolis, Brazil, in 2013-2015 who answered the validated Food Intake and Physical Activities of Schoolchildren (WebCAAFE) questionnaire. Meal quality was the latent trait. The steps for the development of the scale included: latent trait definition; item generation; dimensionality analysis; estimation of item parameters; scale levels definition; assessment of validity and reliability; and assessment of the meal quality of a subsample of schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years (n = 6,372). RESULTS: Eleven out of eighteen items had adequate parameters, without differential item functioning for sex or age. Meal quality was categorized into three levels: healthy, mixed, and unhealthy. Higher scores indicate a greater prevalence of ultra-processed foods in daily meals. Most schoolchildren had mixed (40.6%) and unhealthy (41%) meal patterns. CONCLUSIONS: IRT analysis allowed the development of the scale, which measures the quality of meals and snacks based on the degree of food processing. At all snack times, there was a higher frequency of ultra-processed foods consumption, therefore foods consumed as snacks are a potential focus for nutritional interventions.

A new measure of health motivation influencing food choices and its association with food intakes and nutritional biomarkers in European adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scale to assess health motivation influencing food choices and to explore its performance in the associations with food intakes and nutritional biomarkers. DESIGN: Psychometric study using cross-sectional self-report questionnaires and nutritional biomarkers. SETTING: Multi-centre investigation conducted in ten European cities. PARTICIPANTS: 2954 adolescents who were included in the HELENA study and completed the Food Choices and Preferences (FCP) questionnaire. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 124 items of the FCP questionnaire were in the same dimension. Sixteen presented adequate parameters for the Scale of evaluatiOn of Food choIcEs (SOFIE). The scores were positively associated with the intakes of cereals, dairy products, meats and eggs, and fish, as well as with blood concentrations of vitamin C, ß-carotene, n-3 fatty acids, cobalamin, holo-transcobalamin and folate; scores were negatively associated with the intake of alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: SOFIE can improve the assessment of motivation influencing food choices based on items with the best performance and is proposed as a new measure to health-related studies.

An aircraft seat discomfort scale using item response theory.

The purpose of this study is to construct an aircraft seat discomfort scale and verify the evidence of its validity and reliability. We developed a questionnaire and presented it to 1500 Brazilian passengers at an airport. The data analysis included: 1) factor analysis; 2) the analysis of the items to be used in the scale created using Item Response Theory. The scale covered all levels, from "without discomfort" to "maximum discomfort". At the level of minimal, a passenger feels that the aircraft seat is cramped and has little space. Discomfort tends to increase when passengers are unable to perform desired activities (eg: reading, sleeping), which causes irritation and disappointment. The maximum discomfort level occurs when noise disrupts activities and an aircraft seat is considered hard. The scale developed presented indications that it is reliable and valid, proving to be a useful tool for identifying levels of discomfort in aircraft seats.

Perfil de consumo de alface em instituição de ensino superior da região oeste do Paraná / Profile of lettuce consumption at a higher education institution in the western region of Paraná

A população está mudando seus hábitos alimentares, incluindo mais vegetais a sua alimentação. Os vegetais são fonte de fibras, vitaminas e minerais essenciais para o organismo e o seu consumo diário pode diminuir o risco de doenças crônicas. No entanto, há estudos que afirmam que os jovens brasileiros estão consumindo com menor frequência os vegetais e frutas. Desta maneira, foi conduzida uma pesquisa de mercado em uma instituição de ensino superior para se observar o perfil de consumo de vegetais como a alface. A pesquisa foi realizada na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - UTFPR -campus Medianeira, com a colaboração de 120 consumidores. Os resultados obtidos mostram que 34% dos entrevistados consomem uma vez por semana a alface e 44% dos participantes consomem alface convencional. Observou-se que 59% dos participantes eram homens, e 91 % dos entrevistados tem idade entre 18 e 28 anos. Também, verificou-se que não há uma correlação entre IMC, renda e consumo de alface. Conclui-se, que a frequência de consumo de alface entre os entrevistados é baixa e isto pode ser explicado pelos hábitos alimentares adotados pelos estudantes. Assim, sugere-se que as universidades proporcionem aos estudantes, professores, funcionários e visitantes, por meio de palestras, reflexões sobre hábitos alimentares adequados, de forma a incentivar um estilo de vida mais saudável.

The population is changing their eating habits, including more vegetables to their diet. Vegetables are a source of fiber, vitamins and essential minerals to the body. Besides, if consumed daily decreases the risk of chronic diseases. However, there are studies that claim that Young Brazilians are consuming less often vegetables and fruits. In this way, a market research was conducted in a higher education institution to observe the profile of consumption of vegetables like lettuce. The survey was conducted on Federal Technological University of Technology in the Paraná state, Brazil. with the collaboration of 120 consumers. The results obtained show that 34% of the respondents consume only once a week lettuce, and 44% of the participants consume the conventional lettuce, and 59% of the participants were men, and 91% of the respondents were between 18 to 28 years of age. In addition, there isn´t a correlation between the income and the Body Mass Index (BMI) and lettuce consumption. It is therefore concluded that the results on the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables is low, and this can be explained by the eating habits adopted by students. Thus, it is suggested that universities provide knowledge to the students, teachers, staff and visitors, through lectures, reflections on proper eating habits, in order to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Design and validation of an aircraft seat comfort scale using item response theory.

This article aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale that measures aircraft seat comfort. Factor analysis was used to study data variances. Psychometric quality was checked by using Item Response Theory. The sample consisted of 1500 passengers who completed a questionnaire at a Brazilian airport. Full information factor analysis showed the presence of one dominant factor explaining 34% of data variance. The scale generated covered all levels of comfort data, from 'no comfort' to 'maximum comfort'. The results show that the passengers consider there is comfort, but this is very minimal when these passengers have to perform their desired activities. It tends to increase when aspects of the aircraft seating are improved and positive emotions are elicited. Comfort peaks when pleasure is experienced and passenger expectations are exceeded (maximum comfort). This outcome seems consistent with the literature. Further research is advised to compare the outcome of this questionnaire with other research methods, and to check if the questionnaire is sensitive enough and whether its conclusions are useful in practice.

Escala de resistência à mudança (ram): construção, evidências psicométricas e versão reduzida / Resistance to change scale (rcs): construction, psychometric evidences and reduced version / Escala de resistencia a los cambios (ram): construcción, evidencias psicométricas y versión reducida

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de construir uma Escala de Resistência à Mudança (RAM) que conseguisse agrupar a base teórica existente sobre o tema, reunindo evidências de sua validade fatorial e consistência interna no contexto brasileiro, assim como analisar a adequação da versão reduzida da medida. Foram executados dois estudos. O primeiro contou com a participação de 338 empregados, em sua maioria, de empresas privadas (83%). Estes responderam à RAM e a uma qualificação demográfica. Uma análise de eixos principais (PAF) revelou a preponderância de um fator, explicando 25,56% da variância total e consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach, α) de 0,94. No Estudo 2, participaram 472 empregados, a maioria de empresas privadas (55%). Eles responderam à RAM-20 e a questões demográficas. Os resultados confirmaram a adequação psicométrica do instrumento, podendo ser empregada como uma medida unidimensional para avaliar a resistência à mudança em ambientes organizacionais.

The present study aimed to develop the Resistance to Change Scale (RAM), to cover the existing theoretical basis on this subject, gathering evidences of its factorial validity and internal consistency in the Brazilian context, and to analyze the adequacy of the reduced version of the measurement. Two studies were conducted. 338 employees participated in the first study, mostly from private companies (83%). They answered RCS and demographic profile questions. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the predominance of one factor, explaining 25.56 % of the total variance, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, α) of 0.94. In the second study, there were 472 employees, the majority from private companies (55%). They answered RCS-20 and demographic questions. The results confirmed the psychometric adequacy of the instrument, and it can be used as a unidimensional measure to assess the resistance to change in organizational environments.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo construir una Escala de Resistencia a los Cambios (RAM) que pudiese agrupar la base teórica existente sobre el tema, reuniendo evidencias de validez factorial y consistencia interna en el contexto brasileño, así como también analizar la adecuación de la versión reducida de la medida. Se realizaron dos estudios. El primero consistió en la participación de 338 empleados, en su mayoría de empresas privadas (83%). Estos respondieron la RAM y una calificación demográfica. Un análisis de ejes principales (PAF) reveló la preponderancia de un factor, que explica 25,56% de la varianza total y consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach, α) de 0,94. En el segundo estudio participaron 472 empleados, la mayoría de empresas privadas (55%) que respondieron la RAM-20 y los temas demográficos, y los resultados confirmaron la adecuación psicométrica del instrumento, pudiendo ser utilizada como una medida unidimensional para evaluar la resistencia a los cambios en ambientes organizativos.

Escala de Resistência à Mudança (RAM): Construção, Evidências Psicométricas e Versão Reduzida / Resistance to Change Scale (RCS): Construction, Psychometric Evidences and Reduced Version / Escala de Resistencia a los Cambios (RAM): Construcción, Evidencias Psicométricas y Versión Reducida

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de construir uma Escala de Resistência à Mudança (RAM) que conseguisse agrupar a base teórica existente sobre o tema, reunindo evidências de sua validade fatorial e consistência interna no contexto brasileiro, assim como analisar a adequação da versão reduzida da medida. Foram executados dois estudos. O primeiro contou com a participação de 338 empregados, em sua maioria, de empresas privadas (83%). Estes responderam à RAM e a uma qualificação demográfica. Uma análise de eixos principais (PAF) revelou a preponderância de um fator, explicando 25,56% da variância total e consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach, α) de 0,94. No Estudo 2, participaram 472 empregados, a maioria de empresas privadas (55%). Eles responderam à RAM-20 e a questões demográficas. Os resultados confirmaram a adequação psicométrica do instrumento, podendo ser empregada como uma medida unidimensional para avaliar a resistência à mudança em ambientes organizacionais.

The present study aimed to develop the Resistance to Change Scale (RAM), to cover the existing theoretical basis on this subject, gathering evidences of its factorial validity and internal consistency in the Brazilian context, and to analyze the adequacy of the reduced version of the measurement. Two studies were conducted. 338 employees participated in the first study, mostly from private companies (83%). They answered RCS and demographic profile questions. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the predominance of one factor, explaining 25.56 % of the total variance, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, α) of 0.94. In the second study, there were 472 employees, the majority from private companies (55%). They answered RCS-20 and demographic questions. The results confirmed the psychometric adequacy of the instrument, and it can be used as a unidimensional measure to assess the resistance to change in organizational environments.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo construir una Escala de Resistencia a los Cambios (RAM) que pudiese agrupar la base teórica existente sobre el tema, reuniendo evidencias de validez factorial y consistencia interna en el contexto brasileño, así como también analizar la adecuación de la versión reducida de la medida. Se realizaron dos estudios. El primero consistió en la participación de 338 empleados, en su mayoría de empresas privadas (83%). Estos respondieron la RAM y una calificación demográfica. Un análisis de ejes principales (PAF) reveló la preponderancia de un factor, que explica 25,56% de la varianza total y consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach, α) de 0,94. En el segundo estudio participaron 472 empleados, la mayoría de empresas privadas (55%) que respondieron la RAM-20 y los temas demográficos, y los resultados confirmaron la adecuación psicométrica del instrumento, pudiendo ser utilizada como una medida unidimensional para evaluar la resistencia a los cambios en ambientes organizativos.

Interaction levels between comfort and discomfort in aircraft seats.

BACKGROUND: Although comfort and discomfort on seats have been widely investigated, their nature is still not well described by literature and it is not known exactly how the interaction between these two phenomena happens. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the multidimensional nature of comfort and discomfort in aircraft seats as well as their levels of interaction. METHODS: A comfort-discomfort questionnaire has been given to 1500 passengers in Brazil. RESULTS: The results brought evidence that comfort and discomfort are different phenomena with a strong negative correlation. At extreme levels, the presence of comfort implies the absence of discomfort; however at the other levels of comfort (minimum to moderate) there is the presence of discomfort. Estimating the scores given by the passengers has allowed them to be placed at scales of comfort and discomfort with their different levels. However, no passenger has achieved the levels of maximum comfort or of maximum discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to infer that comfort, as much as discomfort are multidimensional phenomena and must be evaluated through scales with different levels, since at the extreme levels there is no interaction between the phenomena, but at the intermediate levels the passengers could perceive comfort and discomfort at the same time.