Revision of Nutrition Quotient for Korean preschool children: NQ-P 2021
- Author:
Hyo-Jeong HWANG
1
;
Ki Nam KIM
;
Young-Suk LIM
;
Ji-Yun HWANG
;
Hye-Young KIM
;
Jung-Sug LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Research Article
- From:Journal of Nutrition and Health 2026;59(1):45-62
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study was conducted to revise the Nutrition Quotient for Preschool children (NQ-P), a tool for evaluating the overall dietary quality and eating behavior among Korean preschool-aged children.
Methods:At the first stage, 20 items for assessing dietary behavior were selected based on the previous NQ-P checklist, incorporating the results of the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, national nutrition policies, dietary guidelines, and recent literature reviews. A pilot study was conducted with 100 preschool children residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, using an 18-item checklist. After exploratory factor analysis and expert consultation, 15 items were finalized for use in nationwide survey checklists. The nationwide survey was conducted with a stratified sample of 800 preschool children across six metropolitan cities. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to revise the NQ-P 2021 and make it suitable for the structural equation model.
Results:The NQ-P 2021 was developed using 15 checklist items organized into three factors:balance (7 items), moderation (4 items), and practice (4 items). The standardized path coefficients were used as item weights to determine the nutrition quotients. The weights of balance, moderation, and practice were 0.40, 0.15, and 0.45, respectively. In the nationwide survey, the mean NQ-P 2021 score was 59.67. The average scores for balance, moderation, and practice were 51.00, 62.45, and 66.46, respectively.
Conclusion:The revised NQ-P 2021 provides a validated and practical tool for assessing the dietary quality and eating behaviors of preschool children in Korea.
