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Measuring parent time scarcity and fatigue as barriers to meal planning and preparation: quantitative scale
Amy Storfer-Isser1, Dara Musher-Eizenman
1Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. amysi.stats@gmail.com
Objective:
To examine the psychometric properties of 9 quantitative items that assess time scarcity and fatigue as parent barriers to planning and preparing meals for their children.
Methods:
A convenience sample of 342 parents of children aged 2-6 years completed a 20-minute online survey. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the factor structure and create summary scales. Internal consistency reliability and measures of construct and concurrent validity were assessed.
Results:
Two scales were created based on the factor analysis: time and energy for meals and meal planning. Preliminary evidence suggests that both scales are reliable and valid.
Conclusions And Implications:
The time and energy for meals and meal planning scales can be completed quickly by busy and tired parents. As many children do not eat nutritious diets, a better understanding of the barriers that parents face is critical and may help inform interventions tailored to the needs of tired, busy parents.
