Reliability and validity of the Food Pyramid Self Efficacy Scale: use in coronary artery bypass patients

Inappropriate dietary intake is associated with 5 of the 10 leading causes of U.S. death; coronary artery disease (CAD) ranks highest regardless of gender in people over the age of 65. Of the modifiable risk factors for CAD, two of four pertain to food choices. Although lifestyle habits can enhance or impair health, people's beliefs that they can motivate and regulate their own behavior (self efficacy) plays a crucial role in whether they even consider changing detrimental health habits. The Food Pyramid Self Efficacy Scale (FPSES) is an instrument to measure an elder's confidence in his/her ability to choose healthy food items in a variety of situations. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the FPSES. Thirty postoperative CABG patients participated (mean age 70.4). FPSES test-retest (r = 0.78, p = 0.008); coefficient alpha = 0.92. Six content experts judged the FPSES (content validity index [CVI] = 0.85). Construct validity of the instrument was achieved through hypothesis testing, supporting the statement that the higher the nutritional risk, the greater the functional decline (r = 0.37, p = 0.05). As many of the health problems associated with the elderly are preventable or controllable through health promotion, it is vital that measures exist to determine a person's confidence that one believes in the capability to change to healthy eating behaviors.