Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: While recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial outcomes of low glycemic index (GI) foods on individuals’ health, a tool to assess low GI food consumption has not been previously designed for use in public health settings. It is therefore essential to develop a tool to measure individuals’ low GI food consumption. To evaluate daily consumption of low GI foods, a glycemic index food behavior checklist was developed. Two studies were conducted to modify and validate this low GI food behavior checklist. First, 10 cognitive interviews were conducted with individuals with type 2 diabetes between 40 and 70 years old to modify the checklist. Modifications generated from the cognitive interviews included eliminating multiple portion descriptions and adding additional foods to the checklist. After modifying the checklist, 33 participants of the same criteria were sent the checklist and the Block 2005 Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to validate the checklist by comparing nutrient consumption from the two measures. The validation study evaluated nutrient correlations between the Block 2005 FFQ and the low GI checklist to determine if the low GI food checklist is a valid means of measuring low GI food intake. Six nutrients were highly correlated (r > 0.4) between the two tools. Highly correlated nutrients included total carbohydrate, vitamin c, fiber, calcium, folate, magnesium and phosphorus. Sensitivity and specificity were determined using total food group servings as indicated on the GI checklist and the Block 2005 FFQ. The GI checklist was determined as being a sensitive tool for measuring fruit, dairy an whole grain intake, as it was able to accurately identify individuals consuming an inadequate intake of these food groups.
Author: Catherine A. Rogers
Language: English
Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W39394765