Validation of the comprehensive feeding practice questionnaire among school aged children in Jordan: a factor analysis study

Walid A Al-Qerem,Abdul Qader Albawab,Jonathan Ling

doi:10.1186/s12966-017-0478-y

Abstract

BackgroundObesity has become a significant worldwide contributor to morbidity with an alarming increase in the incidence of childhood obesity. Few studies have evaluated parental feeding practices and their impact on child obesity in the Middle East. The Comprehensive Feeding Practice questionnaire (CFPQ; Musher-Eizenman & Holub, 2007) has been validated in different age groups and in different countries, however no previous studies have validated the questionnaire in the Middle East.MethodIn this study, 970 children aged 6–12 completed the Arabic translated version of the CFPQ. The height and weight of the children were also measured. Confirmatory factor and exploratory factor analysis were used to evaluate different factor models. An ordinal logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association between maternal feeding practices and child weight status.ResultsConfirmatory analysis of the CFPQ determined that the original 12 factor structure of the questionnaire was not suitable for this sample. The analysis suggested that the most suitable structure was an 11 factors model (CMIN/DF = 2.18, GFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92 and RMSEA = 0.03) that included Modelling, Monitoring, Child control, Food as a reward, Emotional regulation, Involvement, Restriction for health, Restriction for weight control, Environment, Teach and encourage and Pressure. Of the children tested, 12.6% were obese and 25.1% were overweight. The ordinal regression showed Restriction to health and weight, Emotional regulation and maternal BMI were negatively associated with healthy weight status, while Modelling, Monitoring, Child Control, Environment, Involvement, and Teach and encourage were positively associated with healthy weight status.ConclusionThe Arabic translated version of the CFPQ was validated among the study sample, and the best fit for the model was found to utilize 11 factors. This study indicated that child weight status was associated with maternal feeding practices.

Highlights

Obesity has become a significant worldwide contributor to morbidity with an alarming increase in the incidence of childhood obesity
The ordinal regression showed Restriction to health and weight, Emotional regulation and maternal BMI were negatively associated with healthy weight status, while Modelling, Monitoring, Child Control, Environment, Involvement, and Teach and encourage were positively associated with healthy weight status
The Arabic translated version of the Comprehensive Feeding Practice questionnaire (CFPQ) was validated among the study sample, and the best fit for the model was found to utilize 11 factors

Summary

Introduction

Obesity has become a significant worldwide contributor to morbidity with an alarming increase in the incidence of childhood obesity. Few studies have evaluated parental feeding practices and their impact on child obesity in the Middle East. The Comprehensive Feeding Practice questionnaire (CFPQ; Musher-Eizenman & Holub, 2007) has been validated in different age groups and in different countries, no previous studies have validated the questionnaire in the Middle East. Other work found that among Jordanian children aged 6–12, 19.4% were overweight (18.8% of boys and 19.9% of girls) and 5.6% were obese (5.6% of boys and 5.5% of girls) [2]. These are high rates and emphasise the need for monitoring and interventions to reduce overweight and obesity in this age group.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion