Validation of an Online Screener, the Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans-III in Older Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Mediterranean diet accordance has been associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, a common feature in more advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thus, a brief tool was needed to monitor Mediterranean diet accordance of older adults with PD. Relative validity, acceptability, and feasibility of the 21-item online screener, Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans (MEPA-III) was assessed. Maximum diet accordance is reflected by a MEPA III score of 21 points. Forty-four adults completed the online reference tool, the VioScreen™ Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and then the MEPA-III screener three to seven days later. MEPA-III scores averaged 10.7 ± 2.7. When FFQ responses were coded to match those of MEPA-III screener components, agreement for individual components averaged 71.5%, with 8 of 21 component scores with kappas ≥ 0.31 (p < 0.05). Total MEPA-III scores were concordant with those from the FFQ (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). Participants reported that the MEPA-III screener was acceptable (median score 8 out of a possible 10). The screener was feasible because the median completion time was 4.1 min (range 1.6–14.9). The online MEPA-III screener demonstrates good validity, acceptability and feasibility and can be used to characterize a Mediterranean-style diet pattern among participants with PD.