Exploring Barriers to Healthy Eating Among Women in Their Role as New Mothers with a Theory-Driven Questionnaire

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring Barriers to Healthy Eating Among Women in Their Role as New Mothers with a Theory-Driven Questionnaire

AU - Moura, Andreia Ferreira

AU - Aschemann-Witzel, Jessica

PY - 2023/7

Y1 - 2023/7

N2 - Objectives: This study aims to propose and evaluate a theory-driven questionnaire addressing barriers to healthy eating among mothers of young children. Methods: Statements drawing upon the Social Cognitive Theory were developed/gathered based on literature review and previous qualitative research. Part I (43 items) included general barriers, attitudes to nutrition advice and outcome expectations. Part II (9 items) included subjective knowledge and general self-efficacy scales. An online survey was undertaken with 267 Danish women. The validation process included content and face validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested possible associations between the constructs and potential health outcomes (BMI and healthiness of eating habits). Results: The EFA supported an adequate factorial validity with a 5-factor, 37-item structure model for Part I, and a high internal reliability of Parts I and II (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7). The CFA revealed an association between certain constructs and perceived healthiness of eating and BMI. Results support the reliability and factorial validity of the social cognitive measures assessing barriers to healthy eating among mothers. Conclusions for Practice: These promising findings of reliability and initial validity suggest that researchers and practitioners interested in identifying women who face difficulties in the family food environment may find the scales useful. We propose a short version of the questionnaire for health practitioners.

AB - Objectives: This study aims to propose and evaluate a theory-driven questionnaire addressing barriers to healthy eating among mothers of young children. Methods: Statements drawing upon the Social Cognitive Theory were developed/gathered based on literature review and previous qualitative research. Part I (43 items) included general barriers, attitudes to nutrition advice and outcome expectations. Part II (9 items) included subjective knowledge and general self-efficacy scales. An online survey was undertaken with 267 Danish women. The validation process included content and face validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested possible associations between the constructs and potential health outcomes (BMI and healthiness of eating habits). Results: The EFA supported an adequate factorial validity with a 5-factor, 37-item structure model for Part I, and a high internal reliability of Parts I and II (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7). The CFA revealed an association between certain constructs and perceived healthiness of eating and BMI. Results support the reliability and factorial validity of the social cognitive measures assessing barriers to healthy eating among mothers. Conclusions for Practice: These promising findings of reliability and initial validity suggest that researchers and practitioners interested in identifying women who face difficulties in the family food environment may find the scales useful. We propose a short version of the questionnaire for health practitioners.

KW - Denmark

KW - Healthy eating

KW - Mothers

KW - Social Cognitive Theory

KW - Reproducibility of Results

KW - Humans

KW - Child, Preschool

KW - Factor Analysis, Statistical

KW - Psychometrics/methods

KW - Diet, Healthy

KW - Female

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Child

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151425155&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10995-023-03622-7

DO - 10.1007/s10995-023-03622-7

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37012541

AN - SCOPUS:85151425155

SN - 1092-7875

VL - 27

SP - 1176

EP - 1190

JO - Maternal and Child Health Journal

JF - Maternal and Child Health Journal

IS - 7

ER -