Modification and validation of a Macronutrient Preference Checklist for use in North America

A Macronutrient Preference Checklist (MPC) is a simple tool that assesses momentary macronutrient and taste preferences. The purpose of this study was to modify and validate an existing European 32-item MPC and adapt it for use in North America. A total of 160 subjects completed questionnaires (demographic survey, appetite assessment, MPC, and MPC items rated on a 9-pt hedonic scale) on two occasions (Part 1). The MPC showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.76, 0.72, 0.64, and 0.57 for the four macronutrient categories of high protein, high carbohydrate, high fat, and low energy) and high test-retest reliability, with strong correlations for all four macronutrient categories. A larger sample size (n=239) was used to explore the influences of age, gender, and appetite on macronutrient and taste preference (Part 2). Subjects completed study questionnaires once. The influences of appetite, age, and gender on macronutrient preferences assessed with the MPC concur with the literature, confirming the tool's validity. The MPC was found to be a valid and reliable tool that may be used as a simple and efficient method of assessing momentary macronutrient and taste preferences in future research and clinical settings in North America.