Validation of a questionnaire to measure the willingness to try new foods in Spanish-speaking children and adolescents

- We adapted into Spanish and validated the Food Situations Questionnaire (SFSQ).
- The factor analysis shows that the SFSQ has two factors: Low and High Stimulation.
- The SFSQ shows good reliability and evidence of convergent and external validity.
- The SFSQ can be used with children and adolescents from 8 to 16 years of age.

Food neophobia seems to be related to nutritional, emotional, and family problems during childhood and adolescence. However, a specific measure to assess food neophobia in this population group is lacking in Spain. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a culturally appropriate Spanish version of the self-report Food Situations Questionnaire (FSQ) published by Loewen and Pliner in 2000. Items were translated into Spanish by means of the forward-backward translation procedure, using age-appropriate and simple vocabulary. The Spanish Food Situations Questionnaire (SFSQ) was then administered to a community sample of 831 participants (368 males and 463 females) aged between 8 and 16. The internal structure (dimensionality), internal consistency, and temporal stability of the instrument were examined, as were its convergent and external validity. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed, as in the original FSQ, a two-factor structure (Low Stimulation and High Stimulation). These dimensions showed adequate internal consistency and temporal stability. The results also provide some evidence of convergent validity. External validation data were obtained based on the negative relationship between food neophobia and the sensation-seeking personality trait. Overall, the present work offers researchers and professionals interested in this area of study a valid and reliable tool for assessing food neophobia in Spanish-speaking children and adolescents.