scholarly journals Validity and calibration of the FFQ used in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (13) ◽  
pp. 2357-2368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie K Bassett ◽  
Dallas R English ◽  
Michael T Fahey ◽  
Andrew B Forbes ◽  
Lyle C Gurrin ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability and validity of the FFQ administered to participants in the follow-up of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), and to provide calibration coefficients.DesignA random sample stratified by country of birth, age, sex and BMI was selected from MCCS participants. Participants completed two FFQ and three 24 h recalls over 1 year. Reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Validity coefficients (VC) were estimated from structural equation models and calibration coefficients obtained from regression calibration models.SettingAdults born in Australia, Greece or Italy.SubjectsNine hundred and sixty-five participants consented to the study; of these, 459 participants were included in the reliability analyses and 615 in the validity and calibration analyses.ResultsThe FFQ showed good repeatability for twenty-three nutrients with ICC ranging from 0·66 to 0·80 for absolute nutrient intakes for Australian-born and from 0·51 to 0·74 for Greek/Italian-born. For Australian-born, VC ranged from 0·46 (monounsaturated fat) to 0·83 (Ca) for nutrient densities, comparing well with other studies. For Greek/Italian-born, VC were between 0·21 (Na) and 0·64 (riboflavin). Calibration coefficients for nutrient densities ranged from 0·39 (retinol) to 0·74 (Mg) for Australian-born and from 0·18 (Zn) to 0·54 (riboflavin) for Greek/Italian-born.ConclusionsThe FFQ used in the MCCS follow-up study is suitable for estimating energy-adjusted nutrients for Australian-born participants. However, its performance for estimating intakes is poorer for southern European migrants and alternative dietary assessment methods ought to be considered if dietary data are to be measured in similar demographic groups.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Kang ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
David Bunce ◽  
Mark Ide ◽  
Vishal R Aggarwal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background evidence suggests a reciprocal relationship between cognitive function (CF) and oral health (OH), but no study has demonstrated this inter-relationship in a longitudinal population. Objective to investigate the bidirectional relationship between CF and OH in an ageing cohort. Design cohort study. Setting general community. Subjects participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Methods OH, measured by teeth status, self-reported OH and OH-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and CFs were collected at three time points in 2006/07, 2010/11 and 2014/15. Cross-lagged structural equation models were used to investigate the association between CF and OH, adjusted for potential confounding factors. Results 5477 individuals (56.4% women) were included (mean age = 63.1 years at 2006/07, 67.2 at 2010/11 and 70.4 at 2014/15, SD = 8.9) in analyses. The average CF score was 46.5(SD = 12.3) at baseline and 41.2 (SD = 13.4) at follow-up. 3350 (61.2%) participants had natural teeth only and 622 (11.2%) were edentulous. In the fully adjusted model, better cognition at baseline was associated with better OH at follow-up (beta coefficient = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01–0.03); conversely better OH at baseline predicted better cognition (beta coefficient = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.06–0.18). Similar magnitude and direction of the reciprocal association was evident between cognition and OHRQoL. Conclusions This is the first longitudinal study to demonstrate the positive reciprocal association between CF and OH. The findings suggest the importance of maintaining both good CF and OH in old age.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204062231880684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M. Friedman ◽  
Daniel K. Mroczek ◽  
Sharon L. Christ

Background: Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Mid-Life Development in the United States, this study examined the role of systemic inflammation in mediating the link between multimorbidity and increases in and onset of functional limitations over a 17–19 year follow-up period. Methods: Participants completed questionnaire assessments of chronic conditions and functional limitations. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were assayed in serum. Structural equation models were used to predict increases in and onset of functional limitations associated with baseline multimorbidity status; mediation by inflammation was also determined. Results: Multimorbidity ( versus 0–1 conditions) predicted more functional limitations and greater odds of onset of limitations over time. Significant indirect effects showed that inflammation partially mediated the link between multimorbidity and changes in, but not onset of, limitations. Discussion: These results show that inflammation, a nonspecific marker of multiple disease conditions, explains in part the degree to which multimorbidity is disabling.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsien-Yuan Hsu ◽  
Jr-Hung Lin ◽  
Oi-Man Kwok ◽  
Sandra Acosta ◽  
Victor Willson

Several researchers have recommended that level-specific fit indices should be applied to detect the lack of model fit at any level in multilevel structural equation models. Although we concur with their view, we note that these studies did not sufficiently consider the impact of intraclass correlation (ICC) on the performance of level-specific fit indices. Our study proposed to fill this gap in the methodological literature. A Monte Carlo study was conducted to investigate the performance of (a) level-specific fit indices derived by a partially saturated model method (e.g., [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and (b) [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in terms of their performance in multilevel structural equation models across varying ICCs. The design factors included intraclass correlation (ICC: ICC1 = 0.091 to ICC6 = 0.500), numbers of groups in between-level models (NG: 50, 100, 200, and 1,000), group size (GS: 30, 50, and 100), and type of misspecification (no misspecification, between-level misspecification, and within-level misspecification). Our simulation findings raise a concern regarding the performance of between-level-specific partial saturated fit indices in low ICC conditions: the performances of both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were more influenced by ICC compared with [Formula: see text] and SRMRB. However, when traditional cutoff values ( RMSEA≤ 0.06; CFI, TLI≥ 0.95; SRMR≤ 0.08) were applied, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were still able to detect misspecified between-level models even when ICC was as low as 0.091 (ICC1). On the other hand, both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were not recommended under low ICC conditions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Mauricio Perez Fernandez ◽  
Hector M. Medina ◽  
Mónica López ◽  
Madeleine Barrera ◽  
Azucena Martinez ◽  
...  

Abstract Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is a useful tool to follow-up heart transplant (HT) recipients. Important inter-vendor variability of GLS measurements has been reported in healthy subjects and different conditions, but there is still limited evidence among HT patients. We assessed the reliability and validity of GLS using two vendors (General Electric and Philips) in a group of consecutive and stable adult HT recipients. Patients underwent two concurrent GLS analyses during their echocardiographic follow-up. We evaluated GLS inter-vendor reliability using Bland-Altman’s limits of agreement (LOA) plots, computing its coverage probability (CP) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity was assessed though receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of GLS for each vendor to detect a normal left ventricle function. 78 pairs of GLS studies in 53 stable HT patients were analyzed. We observed a modest inter-vendor reliability with a broad LOA (less than 50% of values falling out our CP of 2% and an ICC of 0.49). ROC analyses (areas under the curve of 0.824 Vs. 0.631, p<0.05) and diagnosis test indices (Sensitivity of 0.73 Vs. 0.64; and Specificity of 0.79 Vs. 0.50) favored GE over Philips. Inter-vendor variability for GLS analysis exceeded clinically acceptable limits in HT recipients. GLS from GE software seemed to show higher validity as compared to Philips’. The present study provides evidence to consider caution for the interpretation of GLS for clinical management in the follow-up of HT patients, especially when GLS is measured by different vendors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Lavallee ◽  
Xiao Chi Zhang ◽  
Silvia Schneider ◽  
Jüergen Margraf

The present study examines the relationship between obesity and mental health using longitudinal data. Participants with data at baseline and one-year follow-up were included from two countries: Germany (364) and China (9007). A series of structural equation models with three mediators and one moderator were conducted separately for female and male students in Germany and China. Zero-order correlations indicated that overweight/obesity was significantly related to later depression and anxiety in Chinese males. Additional effects of obesity on later mental health flowed through effects on attractiveness (Chinese and German females, and Chinese males), physical health (Chinese males), and life satisfaction (German females). Though overweight/obesity is related to mental health across many other studies, results in this study yield total effects between overweight/obesity and follow-up mental health only in Chinese males. The relationship between overweight/obesity and follow-up mental health was significantly mediated by follow-up attractiveness, or health state, or life satisfaction in German females, Chinese females, and Chinese male students, with no significant indirect effects found in German male students. This highlights the possible importance of culture in examining these effects.


Author(s):  
Mark A. Green ◽  
Matthew Hobbs ◽  
Ding Ding ◽  
Michael Widener ◽  
John Murray ◽  
...  

The aim of our study is to utilise longitudinal data to explore if the association between the retail fast food environment and overweight in adolescents is confounded by neighbourhood deprivation. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study for England were obtained for waves 5 (ages 11/12; 2011/12; n = 13,469) and 6 (ages 14/15; 2014/15; n = 11,884). Our outcome variable was overweight/obesity defined using age and sex-specific International Obesity Task Force cut points. Individuals were linked, based on their residential location, to data on the density of fast food outlets and neighbourhood deprivation. Structural Equation Models were used to model associations and test for observed confounding. A small positive association was initially detected between fast food outlets and overweight (e.g., at age 11/12, Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.0006, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 1.0002–1.0009). Following adjusting for the confounding role of neighbourhood deprivation, this association was non-significant. Individuals who resided in the most deprived neighbourhoods had higher odds of overweight than individuals in the least deprived neighbourhoods (e.g., at age 11/12 OR = 1.95, 95% CIs = 1.64–2.32). Neighbourhood deprivation was also positively associated to the density of fast food outlets (at age 11/12 Incidence Rate Ratio = 3.03, 95% CIs = 2.80–3.28).


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley A. Gazabon ◽  
Patricia J. Morokoff ◽  
Lisa L. Harlow ◽  
Rose Marie Ward ◽  
Kathryn Quina

The purpose of this study is to compare the reliability and predictability of transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs when applied to minority and White women at risk for HIV. Participants consisted of 332 women, including Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, other non-Whites, and Whites. The results supported the reliability and validity of the TTM variables for minority women as well as for White women. Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrated that TTM variables were able to predict over and above demographic variables. Structural equation models indicate strong support for a mediational model in which the pros and cons predict condom stage of change and unprotected sex though the mediation of self-efficacy. This study provides strong support for TTM scales applied to minority as well as White women at risk for HIV. The authors discuss how these variables might be incorporated into interventions aimed at increasing condom use in minority women.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferran Calabuig Moreno ◽  
Josep Crespo Hervás ◽  
Vicente J. Prado-Gascó ◽  
Juan M. Núñez-Pomar

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first aim is to obtain a valid and reliable instrument for the holistic analysis of sporting events, and the second is to test a causal model in which future intentions depend on spectators’ perceptions of quality, satisfaction, and value of these events. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 493 spectators of a professional basketball team in the Spanish ACB league responded to a survey to measure the overall performance of the sporting event service. Exploratory factor analysis and further confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation models provides the methodology for testing the reliability and validity of the instrument. Findings – The scales have adequate reliability and validity indices. The path model explains 35.8 percent of the variance in future intentions, 54.0 percent in perceived value, and 49.5 percent in spectators’ satisfaction. Quality proves a better predictor of perceived value than satisfaction. Both perceived value and satisfaction have a similar weight in predicting spectators’ future intentions. The data indicate that quality has an effect on spectators’ future intentions, by altering their perceptions of value and satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – The research findings are somewhat limited, due to the sample consisting entirely of spectators of a single team in the Spanish ACB league. Practical implications – Managers can use these findings to develop loyalty strategies by creating service value and increasing spectators’ satisfaction through quality improvements. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature on service quality by providing an overall measure to assess service in professional sporting events in a Latin-American context.


Author(s):  
Kostas Alexandridis

This study addresses the latent construct of attitudes towards environmental conservation based on study participant&rsquo;s responses. We measured and evaluated the latent scale based on an 18-item scale instrument, over four experimental strata (N=945) in the US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. We estimated the latent scale reliability and validity. We further fitted multiple alternative two-parameter logistic (2PL) and graded response models (GRM) from Item-Response Theory. We finally constructed and fitted equivalent structural and generalized structural equation models (SEM/GSEM) for the attitudinal latent scale. All scale measures (composite, alpha-based, IRT-based and SEM-based) were consistently and reliably valid measures of the study participants&rsquo; latent attitudes toward conservation. We found statistically significant differences among participant&rsquo;s attributes relating to socio-demographic, physical and core environmental characteristics of participants. We assert that the nature of relationship between cognitive attitudes and individual as well as social behavior related to environmental conservation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús García ◽  
Rosa Arroyo ◽  
Lidón Mars ◽  
Tomás Ruiz

The design and implementation of effective transport policies to reduce car use in urban areas requires a deep comprehension of the factors that influence travel behavior. In this context, psychological factors play an important role in explaining travel-related decisions. The purpose of this paper is to present a study on the effects of cognitive, affective and behavioral attitudes towards the use of walking and cycling on both intentions and real use of cars, public transport, bicycles, and walking. The data used was obtained from an on-line survey carried out in 2017. Analyses included reliability and validity of the questionnaire, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and structural equation models. Results indicate that cycling and walking are evaluated differently in terms of feelings of freedom, pleasure, and relaxation. Positive evaluation of elements related to past walking behavior are negatively associated to both the intention to walk and actual walking. Transport policies to encourage cycling should be different from those with the aim of promoting walking. Positive attitudes towards walking are not enough to increase real walking.


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