Original ArticleConstruction of a short form of the healthy eating behaviour inventory for the Japanese population

SummaryIntroductionThe present study constructed a short form of the Healthy Eating Behavior Inventory suitable for use in the Japanese culture (HEBI-J) and confirmed the scale's preliminary reliability and validity.MethodsIn Study 1, Japanese adults (N = 75) completed a free-response questionnaire about healthy eating behaviours. Thematic analysis was used to identify three factors-balance, pattern, and restriction-associated with healthy eating behaviours and 12 items related to these healthy eating behaviours. In Study 2, Japanese office workers (N = 784) completed two questionnaires regarding 12 items of healthy eating behaviours and the dietary stages of change.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the three-factor model was appropriate (GFI = .94, AGFI = .90, CFI = .90, RMSEA = .08, SRMR = .53). Reliability was confirmed by alpha coefficients and the Spearman-Brown formula. Concurrent validity was confirmed by the relationship between the healthy eating stages.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the preliminary reliability and validity of the HEBI-J.