Alison H Harmon1, Audrey N Maretzki. 1. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA. harmon@montana.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To design and pilot a questionnaire for assessing youth attitudes about the food system. DESIGN: Nutrition educators provided important topics for food system education through a survey using the Delphi method. The resulting questionnaire of attitude scales was piloted with high school students. SETTING: The Delphi survey of nutrition educators was conducted through the mail and electronically. A paper and pencil questionnaire was administered to high school students in Family and Consumer Science classes. PARTICIPANTS: Delphi participants were members of the Society for Nutrition Education's Division of Sustainable Food Systems. A convenience sample of high school students completed the pilot questionnaire. VARIABLES MEASURED: Scales measured attitudes about farmland protection, participation in the local food system, hunger in the United States, organic agriculture, and environmental issues related to food. ANALYSIS: Factor analysis was used to identify constructs. The internal consistency of each resulting scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Reliability of attitude scales ranged from .59 to .73. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Attitude scales were created for the purpose of assessing youth thoughts and beliefs about the local or regional food system. Such assessments can serve as a starting point for food system educators interested in developing effective curricula on food system topics.
OBJECTIVE: To design and pilot a questionnaire for assessing youth attitudes about the food system. DESIGN: Nutrition educators provided important topics for food system education through a survey using the Delphi method. The resulting questionnaire of attitude scales was piloted with high school students. SETTING: The Delphi survey of nutrition educators was conducted through the mail and electronically. A paper and pencil questionnaire was administered to high school students in Family and Consumer Science classes. PARTICIPANTS: Delphi participants were members of the Society for Nutrition Education's Division of Sustainable Food Systems. A convenience sample of high school students completed the pilot questionnaire. VARIABLES MEASURED: Scales measured attitudes about farmland protection, participation in the local food system, hunger in the United States, organic agriculture, and environmental issues related to food. ANALYSIS: Factor analysis was used to identify constructs. The internal consistency of each resulting scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Reliability of attitude scales ranged from .59 to .73. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Attitude scales were created for the purpose of assessing youth thoughts and beliefs about the local or regional food system. Such assessments can serve as a starting point for food system educators interested in developing effective curricula on food system topics.
Authors: David L Pelletier; Christine M Porter; Gregory A Aarons; Sara E Wuehler; Lynnette M Neufeld Journal: Adv Nutr Date: 2013-01-01 Impact factor: 8.701