Validation of a Turkish Version of the Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire

There are multiple influences on food choice for athletes. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a Turkish Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire (Turkish-AFCQ) and describe the main factors influencing food choices. A multi-step process of language and content validation, Explanatory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and test-retest reliability were used to examine factorial structure and construct validity (convergent and discriminant) and reliability (internal and external). The translated Turkish-AFCQ was administered to 446 athletes (59% male, median age = 21 years) from a variety of sports. The original nine-factor structure was validated, external reliability was acceptable, and all factors achieved acceptable discriminate validity. Convergent validity and internal reliability received tenable-ideal ratings for seven and eight factors, respectively. Interpretation and future application are discussed for low-performing factors 'food and health awareness' and 'influence of others'. The factor most frequently (never 1-always 5) influencing choices was 'performance' (Md = 4.33) and the least was both the 'influence of others' and 'food values and beliefs' (Md = 2.67). The Turkish-AFCQ can be used to expand researchers' and practitioners' understanding of the relative influence multiple factors have on food choices, and this study provides a model for AFCQ linguistic translation and validation.