Development of the Food Acceptance Questionnaire for Thai Partial and Complete Edentulism

Abstract

This study aimed to develop the Food Acceptance Questionnaire (FAQ) to assess the masticatory ability of Thai older adults (≥60 years). Fifty participants were interviewed using open-ended questions about food they regularly consumed and avoided due to difficulty chewing. From a list of 140 items, 100 were recruited for a trial version of the FAQ. A total of 154 participants responded to the 5-point Likert scale on their chewing perception of each food item (1, impossible to chew; 5, most easily eaten). The average response of each food item was used as the chewing index (CI). The 100 food items were ranked and divided into five grades based on their CIs. Masticatory performance (MP) was objectively assessed by a visual scoring method using gummy jelly (UHA Mikakuto). Two foods from each grade that demonstrated the highest correlation with MP were selected to form the final 10-item FAQ. The FAQ score was calculated by summarizing the responses of 10 items. MP correlated strongly with the FAQ score (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), indicating its predictive validity. Furthermore, the FAQ indicates strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.90), indicating high reliability. In conclusion, this newly developed 10-item FAQ is valid and reliable for assessing the masticatory ability of Thai older adults.

Keywords: aging; elderly; food; mastication; masticatory performance; questionnaires.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of food acceptance questionnaire development.

Figure 2

Final version Food Acceptance Questionnaire: an example of an answer to the questionnaire and food acceptance score calculation.

Figure 3

Relationship between food acceptance score and masticatory performance: the scatterplot with a positive correlation y, the value of the food acceptance score; x, the value of masticatory performance; R², the coefficient of determination.