Validation of a Sustainable Diet Index among young Malaysian adults
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2021-0060
- Author:
Nur Fadzlina Zulkefli
1
;
Foong Ming Moy
1
Author Information
1. Centre of Epidemiology and Evidence Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
environment, health, sustainable diet index, validation
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2022;28(No.2):275-283
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: A sustainable diet which is healthy and environmentally friendly
provides the means of climate change mitigation in addition to promoting health
of the population. There is an urgent need to have an indicator to measure if one’s
diet is sustainable. This paper aimed to validate a newly developed Sustainable
Diet Index (SDI) among young Malaysian adults. The SDI was developed based
on the dietary guidelines of a sustainable diet. Methods: Five indicators (rice,
animal-based food, plant-based food, food waste, and packaging) were included in
the SDI. The index was validated via content validity, exploratory factor analysis
(EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) among young Malaysian adults. The
dietary assessment tool used was an Android application named Sustainable Food
Record. Results: Content validity showed fair to moderate correlations (0.331 -
0.816) between the indicators in the SDI. EFA produced five final factors with eight
indicators in the index as follows: 1) fruits and vegetables; 2) dairy, eggs, and meat; 3)
rice, cereals, and grain products; 4) food packaging; and 5) food waste management
with strong factor loadings (0.760 – 0.984). All five factors with eight indicators were
retained and proceeded with CFA. The fit indices from CFA demonstrated that the
model was an absolutely fit. Conclusion: The validated SDI can be used as a tool
to measure the sustainability of an individual’s diet in Malaysia, incorporating both
health and environment considerations.
- Full text:4.2022my0583.pdf
