P95 Reliability of the Food Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT) in Low-Income Adults

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Food literacy is defined as the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to plan and manage, select, prepare, and eat in support of health within cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental context. Low-income populations show disproportionately higher prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases compared to their counterparts. Nutrition plays a key role in prevention of these chronic diseases. There is no valid and reliable tool to assess food literacy in low-income populations. The Food Literacy Assessment Tool was developed to assess knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior related to food literacy, and was previously tested for face validity and content validity. <h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate the reliability of the Food Literacy Assessment Tool (FLAT). <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> A convenience sample of low-income adults were recruited at a non-profit organization providing emergency aid through a food pantry, charitable pharmacy, and social services to clients in need. Ninety-eight adults completed the FLAT, and 75 of the 98 adults returned and completed the same survey a second time 1-3 weeks after their initial survey. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) for knowledge (dichotomous variable) and Cronbach's α for self-efficacy and behavior (measured using Likert scales). Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). <h3>Results</h3> The FLAT was found to have acceptable internal consistency in self-efficacy (Cronbach's α = .921) and behavior (Cronbach's α = .899), but not in knowledge (KR-20 = .510). The FLAT also showed acceptable test-retest reliability for knowledge (ICC = .839), self-efficacy (ICC = .703), and behavior (ICC = .930). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Overall, the FLAT is considered to be appropriate to assess food literacy in low-income adults in the United States.