Development and application of the Meal and Snack Assessment (MESA) quality scale for children and adolescents using item response theory.

BACKGROUND: Meals differ in terms of food items and nutritional quality. The aim of the present study was to propose a scale to measure the meals quality of schoolchildren according to food processing degree, perform a preliminary evaluation of the scale's validity and reliability and apply the scale to a representative sample of schoolchildren in a city in southern Brazil. METHODS: A methodological study based on the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) of item response theory (IRT) with analysis of secondary data was carried out in 6,399 schoolchildren of 6-15y-old attending 2nd to 5th grades of public elementary schools in Florianópolis, Brazil, in 2013-2015 who answered the validated Food Intake and Physical Activities of Schoolchildren (WebCAAFE) questionnaire. Meal quality was the latent trait. The steps for the development of the scale included: latent trait definition; item generation; dimensionality analysis; estimation of item parameters; scale levels definition; assessment of validity and reliability; and assessment of the meal quality of a subsample of schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years (n = 6,372). RESULTS: Eleven out of eighteen items had adequate parameters, without differential item functioning for sex or age. Meal quality was categorized into three levels: healthy, mixed, and unhealthy. Higher scores indicate a greater prevalence of ultra-processed foods in daily meals. Most schoolchildren had mixed (40.6%) and unhealthy (41%) meal patterns. CONCLUSIONS: IRT analysis allowed the development of the scale, which measures the quality of meals and snacks based on the degree of food processing. At all snack times, there was a higher frequency of ultra-processed foods consumption, therefore foods consumed as snacks are a potential focus for nutritional interventions.

How Brazilian Schoolchildren Identify, Classify, and Label Foods and Beverages-A Card Sorting Methodology.

This study examined how Brazilian schoolchildren identified, classified, and labeled foods and beverages. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 133 schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years old from a public school located in southern Brazil in 2015. A set of cards with pictures of 32 food and beverage items from the web-based Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren tool (Web-CAAFE) were used. Participants identified each item, formed groups for them based on similarity, and assigned labels for those groups. Student's t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to verify the mean difference between the groups of items. K-means cluster analysis was applied to identify similar clusters. Schoolchildren made an average of 9.1 piles of foods and beverages that they thought were similar (±2.4) with 3.0 cards (±1.8) each. Five groups were identified: meats, snacks and pasta, sweets, milk and dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. The most frequently used nomenclature for labeling groups was taxonomic-professional (47.4%), followed by the specific food item name (16.4%), do not know/not sure (13.3%), and evaluative (health perception) (8.8%). The taxonomic-professional category could be applied to promote improvements in the identification process of food and beverage items by children in self-reported computerized dietary questionnaires.

COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the perception of digital transformation on real estate websites.

In early March, the newspapers reported the arrival of the Coronavirus in Brazil. The period of confinement directly affected our routines and transformed our consumption habits. Amidst the fear of contagion and uncertainty, people isolated themselves and postponed changes. Previous studies indicate that digital practices were accelerated after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating communication and improving the performance of various sectors of the economy. Thus, to better understand the behavior of Brazilian real estate market professionals in this period, the objective of this research was to verify whether the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the process of perception of digitalization in real estate websites. To this end, five experts in the digital real estate market were interviewed, asked what are the main items that a quality real estate website should have to improve user experience. Based on the items selected by the experts, a questionnaire was developed and a question was constructed for each item. The questionnaire was sent online to 2144 realtors, asking about the importance of these items before and after the pandemic started. Using a 5-point Likert scale, and strict criteria for analysis, our survey yielded 423 valid responses. The results indicate that regardless of the groups analyzed, the hypotheses confirm that after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the perception of the importance of digital technology in Brazilian real estate websites was enhanced, increased. Managers took advantage of the pandemic and the availability of digital technology to offer specialized service to customers, thus creating a new competitive scenario. The tools associated with the visualization of the property and information such as '360°/Video Tour', 'Video Visit Broadcast', 'Chatbots' and 'FAQ List' had the greatest increase in perception.

Internal structure and classification of pelvic floor dysfunction distress by PFDI-20 total score.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the internal structure (structural validity and internal consistency) and propose a classification for the distress caused by the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms based on the total score of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with Brazilian women over 18 years of age. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed with Parallel Analysis and to test three models to compare them with the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Comparative Fit Index (CFI). Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. Partial credit model (PCM) was performed to classify the total score of the PFDI-20. RESULTS: Data from 237 women (49.62 ± 16.95 years) were analyzed. The one-dimensional structure had 43.74% of the explained variance with α = 0.929. The one-dimensional model was the most appropriate (CFI = 0.987 and RMSEA = 0.022). The total PFDI-20 score was classified as the absence of symptoms (score zero), symptoms with mild distress (1 to 15 points), symptoms with moderate distress (16 to 34 points), and symptoms with severe distress (35 to 40 points). CONCLUSION: The PFDI-20 has an one-dimensional structure and the distress caused by the presence of PFD symptoms can be classified as mild, moderate and severe. Health professionals and future studies can use our classification to facilitate the understanding of the patient's health status and to obtain other analyses on the severity of the distress of the symptoms of PFD.

There are limitations regarding the meaning of the total score of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) in clinical practice and scientific research. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the internal structure (structural validity and internal consistency) and propose a classification for the distress caused by the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms from the total score of PFDI-20. Cross-sectional study conducted with Brazilian women over 18 years of age. Data from 237 women (49.62 ± 16.95 years) were analyzed. The PFDI-20 has one-dimensional structure and the distress caused by the presence of PFD symptoms can be classified as mild, moderate and severe.

Development of a Food-Based Diet Quality Scale for Brazilian Schoolchildren Using Item Response Theory.

Item response theory (IRT) is a psychometric method that provides probabilistic model-based measurements. Its use is relatively recent in the assessment of food consumption, especially through dietary assessment tools. This study aims (1) to develop a food-based diet quality scale for Brazilian schoolchildren using IRT, and (2) to apply the scale to a representative sample of schoolchildren from a Southern Brazilian city. The scale was developed with daily consumption frequency of foods from 835 students who completed the Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren questionnaire. Questionnaire foods were grouped into 10 items according to their nutritional similarities and were evaluated by full-information factor analysis that indicated a dominant factor explaining 28% of the variance. Psychometric item analysis was performed using Samejima's model. The scale covered all levels of diet quality, from "very poor" (scores < 95) to "very good" (scores ≥ 130). Children who had higher diet quality scores consumed beans, meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and water more frequently, while reducing the consumption of ultraprocessed sugary foods, ultraprocessed savoury snacks and sausages, and sugary drinks. Of 6323 children, an average of less than 10% consumed the highest diet quality scores (good or very good diet quality) and about 60% of children consumed low diet quality scores. The scale can be applied to other schoolchildren with the same measure precision.

Two validity evidences of the ESQUADA and Brazilians' dietary quality levels.

OBJECTIVE: Assess two validity evidences of the diet quality scale (ESQUADA) for the selection of items with better discrimination of the Brazilians' diet quality and propose a description in score levels. METHODS: Brazilian adolescents and adults residing in the country (n = 2,059) answered an online questionnaire with 52 items, shared on social networks and email lists between March and April 2018. Statistical tests were applied to analyze the validity and reliability of the instrument's evidence. Factor analysis was applied to study the dimensionality of the questionnaire items. Item response theory was applied to identify the discrimination and location of items on the continuum, construct the scale and assess the differential item functioning in terms of sex and age. RESULTS: Among the 52 items of the questionnaire, 25 had greater measurement accuracy, with adequate adjustment and reliability. The item on the habit of eating ultra-processed foods at home showed the best discrimination of diet quality. No item showed differential functioning regarding sex and age. In the construction of the ESQUADA, five diet quality levels were identified: very poor, poor, good, very good and excellent. It was observed that while breakfast cereals and/or cereal bars are more frequently consumed by individuals with "very poor" diet quality; nuts and/or walnuts are most often consumed by those individuals with "excellent" diet quality. CONCLUSION: The ESQUADA consists of 25 precise items with no differential functioning to assess the quality of Brazilians' diet. The construction of the ESQUADA made it possible to recognize food consumption and dietary practices characteristic of each level of diet quality.

Two validity evidences of the ESQUADA and Brazilians' dietary quality levels / Duas evidências de validade da ESQUADA e níveis de qualidade da dieta dos brasileiros

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Assess two validity evidences of the diet quality scale (ESQUADA) for the selection of items with better discrimination of the Brazilians' diet quality and propose a description in score levels. METHODS Brazilian adolescents and adults residing in the country (n = 2,059) answered an online questionnaire with 52 items, shared on social networks and email lists between March and April 2018. Statistical tests were applied to analyze the validity and reliability of the instrument's evidence. Factor analysis was applied to study the dimensionality of the questionnaire items. Item response theory was applied to identify the discrimination and location of items on the continuum, construct the scale and assess the differential item functioning in terms of sex and age. RESULTS Among the 52 items of the questionnaire, 25 had greater measurement accuracy, with adequate adjustment and reliability. The item on the habit of eating ultra-processed foods at home showed the best discrimination of diet quality. No item showed differential functioning regarding sex and age. In the construction of the ESQUADA, five diet quality levels were identified: very poor, poor, good, very good and excellent. It was observed that while breakfast cereals and/or cereal bars are more frequently consumed by individuals with "very poor" diet quality; nuts and/or walnuts are most often consumed by those individuals with "excellent" diet quality. CONCLUSION The ESQUADA consists of 25 precise items with no differential functioning to assess the quality of Brazilians' diet. The construction of the ESQUADA made it possible to recognize food consumption and dietary practices characteristic of each level of diet quality.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar duas evidências de validade da escala de qualidade da dieta (ESQUADA) para seleção dos itens com melhor discriminação da qualidade da dieta dos brasileiros e propor uma descrição em níveis de escore. MÉTODOS Adolescentes e adultos brasileiros e residentes no país (n = 2.059), responderam a um questionário on-line com 52 itens, compartilhado em redes sociais e listas de correio eletrônico entre março e abril de 2018. Foram aplicados testes estatísticos para análise de evidências de validade e confiabilidade do instrumento. A análise fatorial foi aplicada para estudo da dimensionalidade dos itens do questionário. A teoria de resposta ao item foi aplicada para identificar a discriminação e localização dos itens no continuum , construir a escala e avaliar o comportamento diferencial dos itens quanto ao sexo e idade. RESULTADOS Dentre os 52 itens do questionário, 25 apresentaram maior precisão de medida, com ajuste e confiabilidade adequados. O item sobre o costume de comer alimentos ultraprocessados em casa apresentou a melhor discriminação da qualidade da dieta. Nenhum item apresentou comportamento diferencial quanto a sexo e idade. Na construção da ESQUADA foram identificados cinco níveis de qualidade da dieta: "muito ruim", "ruim", "boa", "muito boa" e "excelente". Observou-se que enquanto cereais matinais e/ou barrinhas de cereais são consumidos com maior frequência por indivíduos com qualidade da dieta "muito ruim"; castanhas e/ou nozes são consumidos mais frequentemente por aqueles indivíduos com qualidade da dieta "excelente". CONCLUSÕES A ESQUADA é composta por 25 itens precisos e sem comportamento diferencial para avaliar a qualidade da dieta dos brasileiros. A construção da ESQUADA possibilitou reconhecer consumo e práticas alimentares característicos de cada nível de qualidade da dieta.

[Intra-family and school violence scale using the Item Response Theory]. / Escala de violência intrafamiliar e escolar usando a Teoria de Resposta ao Item.

Violence is a global public health problem and may be of a physical, sexual, or psychological nature, or due to negligence. In order to evaluate this situation, instruments are needed that can assess this widely diverse scenario. The scope of this research was to develop a scale to evaluate intra-family and school violence. In this study, the questionnaire on violence proposed by the World Health Organization and included in the Health and Nutrition Monitoring System - Nutrition of Students, was used. The questionnaire was applied to adolescents of both sexes, enrolled in public schools in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil, in 2014. The gradual response model of the Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to create the scale and analyze the questions contained in the questionnaire. The scale presented more precise information for levels of above average violence, implying greater applicability for populations at risk of intra-family and school violence. The use of the scale is proposed as a new approach to assess intra-family and school violence in future studies.

A violência é um problema de saúde pública mundial, podendo ser de ordem física, sexual, psicológica ou por negligência e, para sua avaliação, são necessários instrumentos capazes de medir toda esta diversidade. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver uma escala para avaliar a violência intrafamiliar e escolar. Foi utilizado o questionário de violência, proposto pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e incluído no Sistema de Monitoramento da Saúde e Alimentação - Nutrição do Escolar. O questionário foi aplicado em adolescentes de ambos os sexos, matriculados em escolas públicas da cidade de Piracicaba, Brasil, em 2014. O modelo de resposta gradual da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI) foi utilizado para criação da escala e análise das perguntas do questionário. A escala apresentou informação mais precisa para níveis de violência acima da média, sugerindo uma maior aplicabilidade para populações em risco de violência intrafamiliar e escolar. Sugere-se o uso da escala como nova abordagem para avaliar a violência intrafamiliar e escolar nos próximos estudos.

Escala de violência intrafamiliar e escolar usando a Teoria de Resposta ao Item / Intra-family and school violence scale using the Item Response Theory

Resumo A violência é um problema de saúde pública mundial, podendo ser de ordem física, sexual, psicológica ou por negligência e, para sua avaliação, são necessários instrumentos capazes de medir toda esta diversidade. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver uma escala para avaliar a violência intrafamiliar e escolar. Foi utilizado o questionário de violência, proposto pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e incluído no Sistema de Monitoramento da Saúde e Alimentação - Nutrição do Escolar. O questionário foi aplicado em adolescentes de ambos os sexos, matriculados em escolas públicas da cidade de Piracicaba, Brasil, em 2014. O modelo de resposta gradual da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI) foi utilizado para criação da escala e análise das perguntas do questionário. A escala apresentou informação mais precisa para níveis de violência acima da média, sugerindo uma maior aplicabilidade para populações em risco de violência intrafamiliar e escolar. Sugere-se o uso da escala como nova abordagem para avaliar a violência intrafamiliar e escolar nos próximos estudos.

Abstract Violence is a global public health problem and may be of a physical, sexual, or psychological nature, or due to negligence. In order to evaluate this situation, instruments are needed that can assess this widely diverse scenario. The scope of this research was to develop a scale to evaluate intra-family and school violence. In this study, the questionnaire on violence proposed by the World Health Organization and included in the Health and Nutrition Monitoring System - Nutrition of Students, was used. The questionnaire was applied to adolescents of both sexes, enrolled in public schools in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil, in 2014. The gradual response model of the Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to create the scale and analyze the questions contained in the questionnaire. The scale presented more precise information for levels of above average violence, implying greater applicability for populations at risk of intra-family and school violence. The use of the scale is proposed as a new approach to assess intra-family and school violence in future studies.

A new measure of health motivation influencing food choices and its association with food intakes and nutritional biomarkers in European adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scale to assess health motivation influencing food choices and to explore its performance in the associations with food intakes and nutritional biomarkers. DESIGN: Psychometric study using cross-sectional self-report questionnaires and nutritional biomarkers. SETTING: Multi-centre investigation conducted in ten European cities. PARTICIPANTS: 2954 adolescents who were included in the HELENA study and completed the Food Choices and Preferences (FCP) questionnaire. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 124 items of the FCP questionnaire were in the same dimension. Sixteen presented adequate parameters for the Scale of evaluatiOn of Food choIcEs (SOFIE). The scores were positively associated with the intakes of cereals, dairy products, meats and eggs, and fish, as well as with blood concentrations of vitamin C, ß-carotene, n-3 fatty acids, cobalamin, holo-transcobalamin and folate; scores were negatively associated with the intake of alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: SOFIE can improve the assessment of motivation influencing food choices based on items with the best performance and is proposed as a new measure to health-related studies.

Item Response Theory-based validation of a short form of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s) to a Brazilian sample.

This study aimed to validate a short version of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s). To this end, 2,902 adult individuals answered the original DEAS and informed age, weight, and height. Data were analyzed using the full-information factor analysis and Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis. Exclusion criteria retained items with adequate values of commonality and factor loadings. Estimation of IRT parameters, the Item Characteristic Curve (ICC), and test information guided the selection of the best quality items. The final model adjustment was evaluated using Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMSR), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI). The eating attitudes on each level of DEAS-s were described. The analyses were performed on R software and Microsoft Excel version 2013. As results, six items were excluded because of the low communalities and factor loadings, and one more was excluded because of an overlapping on the ICC. The remaining 17 items explained 0.53 of the total variance and had an adequate goodness-of-fit (RMSEA = 0.05; SRMSR = 0.05; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98). The information test is more accurate between the scores 0 and +3. Scores higher or equal to 1.5 identified individuals with disordered eating attitudes. Women, older individuals, and those with a higher body mass index presented more disordered eating; thus, the one-dimensional and short version of DEAS showed a suitable adjustment and may contribute to properly evaluate disordered eating in diverse populations.

Progress Test in Medical School: a Systematic Review of the Literature / Teste de Progresso na Escola Médica: uma Revisão Sistemática acerca da Literatura

Abstract: Progress Test is an objective assessment, consisting of 60 to 150 multiple-choice questions, designed to promote an assessment of the cognitive skills expected at the end of undergraduate school. This test is applied to all students on the same day, so that it is possible to compare the results between grades and analyze the development of knowledge performance throughout the course. This study aimed to carry out a systematic and literary review about Progress Test in medical schools in Brazil and around the world, understanding the benefits of its implementation for the development of learning for the student, the teacher and the institution. The study was carried out from July 2018 to April 2019, which addressed articles published from January 2002 to March 2019. The keywords used were: "Progress Test in Medical Schools" and "Item Response Theory in Medicine" in the PubMed, Scielo, and Lilacs platforms. There was no language limitation in article selection, but the research was carried out in English. A total of 192,026 articles were identified, and after applying advanced search filters, 11 articles were included in the study. The Progress Test (PTMed) has been applied in medical schools, either alone or in groups of partner schools, since the late 1990s. The test results build the students' performance curves, which allow us to identify weaknesses and strengths of the students in the several areas of knowledge related to the course. The Progress Test is not an exclusive instrument for assessing student performance, but it is also important as an assessment tool for academic management use and thus, it is crucial that institutions take an active role in the preparation and analysis of this assessment data. Assessments designed to test clinical competence in medical students need to be valid and reliable. For the evaluative method to be valid it is necessary that the subject be extensively reviewed and studied, aiming at improvements and adjustments in test performance.

Resumo: O Teste de Progresso é uma avaliação objetiva, estruturada com 60 a 150 questões de múltipla escolha, elaborada com o objetivo de promover uma avaliação das competências cognitivas esperadas no final do curso de graduação. Esse teste é aplicado a todos os discentes no mesmo dia, de modo que seja possível comparar os resultados entre as séries e analisar a performance evolutiva do conhecimento no decorrer do curso. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sistemática e literária acerca do Teste de Progresso nas escolas médicas no Brasil e no mundo, compreendendo os benefícios de sua implantação para o desenvolvimento do aprendizado, tanto para o aluno quanto para o docente e para a instituição. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de julho de 2018 a abril de 2019 e abordou artigos publicados no período de janeiro de 2002 a março de 2019. Utilizaram-se os descritores "Teste de Progresso nas escolas médicas" e "Teoria de Resposta ao Item em Medicina" nas plataformas PubMed, SciELO e Lilacs. Não houve limitação de idioma na seleção dos artigos, porém a pesquisa foi realizada em inglês. Foram encontrados 192.026 artigos, e, após a aplicação de filtros de busca avançada, incluíram-se 11 artigos no estudo. O Teste de Progresso (TP) vem sendo aplicado nas escolas médicas, de forma isolada ou em grupos de escolas parceiras, desde o final da década de 1990. Os resultados do teste constroem curvas de desempenho dos acadêmicos, o que permite identificar fragilidades e qualidades dos estudantes nas diversas áreas do conhecimento relacionadas ao curso. O Teste de Progresso não é um instrumento exclusivo de avaliação do desempenho dos estudantes, mas assume também um significado como ferramenta avaliativa para uso na gestão acadêmica, e para isso é fundamental que as instituições assumam papel ativo na elaboração e na análise dos dados dessa avaliação. Os exames desenvolvidos para testar a competência clínica em estudantes de Medicina necessitam ser válidos e confiáveis. Para que o método avaliativo seja válido, é necessário que o assunto seja amplamente revisado e estudado, visando a melhorias e adequações na execução dos testes.

Item Response Theory-based validation of a short form of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s) to a Brazilian sample / Validação de uma versão breve da Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s) em uma amostra brasileira com base na Teoria da Resposta ao Item / Validación de una versión breve de la Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s) en una muestra brasileña basada en la Teoría de la Respuesta al Ítem

This study aimed to validate a short version of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s). To this end, 2,902 adult individuals answered the original DEAS and informed age, weight, and height. Data were analyzed using the full-information factor analysis and Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis. Exclusion criteria retained items with adequate values of commonality and factor loadings. Estimation of IRT parameters, the Item Characteristic Curve (ICC), and test information guided the selection of the best quality items. The final model adjustment was evaluated using Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMSR), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI). The eating attitudes on each level of DEAS-s were described. The analyses were performed on R software and Microsoft Excel version 2013. As results, six items were excluded because of the low communalities and factor loadings, and one more was excluded because of an overlapping on the ICC. The remaining 17 items explained 0.53 of the total variance and had an adequate goodness-of-fit (RMSEA = 0.05; SRMSR = 0.05; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98). The information test is more accurate between the scores 0 and +3. Scores higher or equal to 1.5 identified individuals with disordered eating attitudes. Women, older individuals, and those with a higher body mass index presented more disordered eating; thus, the one-dimensional and short version of DEAS showed a suitable adjustment and may contribute to properly evaluate disordered eating in diverse populations.

O objetivo do estudo foi validar uma versão breve da Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s). Um total de 2.902 adultos responderam à DEAS original e informaram a idade, peso e altura. Os dados foram analisados com a análise fatorial por informação completa e Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI). Os critérios de exclusão retiveram itens com valores adequados de comunalidades e cargas fatoriais. A estimação dos parâmetros TRI, a Curva Característica do Item (CCI) e teste de informação orientaram a seleção de itens com melhor qualidade. O ajuste do modelo final foi avaliado com a Raiz da Média dos Quadrados dos Erros de Aproximação (RMSEA), Raiz Padronizada da Média Quadrática Residual (SRMSR), Índice de Ajuste Comparativo (CFI) e Índice de Tucker-Lewis (TLI). Foram descritas as atitudes alimentares em cada nível da DEAS-s. As análises foram realizadas no software R e no Microsoft Excel, versão 2013. Nos resultados, seis itens foram excluídos devido às comunalidades e cargas fatoriais baixas, e mais um item foi excluído devido a uma sobreposição na CCI. Os 17 itens restantes explicaram 0,53 da variância total e mostraram ajuste adequado (RMSEA = 0,05; SRMSR = 0,05; CFI = 0,98; TLI = 0,98). O teste de informação é mais acurado entre os escores entre 0 e +3. Valores maiores ou iguais a 1,5 identificaram os indivíduos com comer transtornado. As mulheres, os indivíduos mais velhos e aqueles com índice de massa corporal mais elevado apresentaram mais comer transtornado. Portanto, a versão unidimensional e breve da DEAS mostrou ajuste adequado e pode contribuir para a avaliação correta dos transtornos alimentares em populações distintas.

El objetivo del estudio fue validar una versión breve de la Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS-s). Un total de 2.902 adultos respondieron a la DEAS original e informaron la edad, peso y altura. Los datos fueron analizados mediante análisis factorial por información completa y Teoría de la Respuesta al Ítem (TRI). Los criterios de exclusión retuvieron ítems con valores adecuados de comunalidades y cargas factoriales. La estimación de los parámetros TRI, la Curva de Característica del Ítem (CCI) y test de información orientaron la selección de los ítems de mejor calidad. El ajuste del modelo final se evalúo con la Raíz de la Media de los Cuadrados de los Errores de Aproximación (RMSEA), Raíz Estandarizada de la Media Cuadrática Residual (SRMSR), Índice de Ajuste Comparativo (CFI) e Índice de Tucker-Lewis (TLI). Se describieron las actitudes alimentarias en cada nivel de la DEAS-s. Los análisis se realizaron con el software R y con Microsoft Excel, versión 2013. En los resultados, seis ítems se excluyeron, debido a comunalidades y cargas factoriales bajas, y un ítem más se excluyó, debido a una sobreposición en la CCI. Los 17 ítems restantes explicaron 0,53 de la variancia total y mostraron un ajuste adecuado (RMSEA = 0,05; SRMSR = 0,05; CFI = 0,98; TLI = 0,98). El test de información es más preciso entre los escores 0 y +3. Valores mayores o iguales de 1,5 identificaron a individuos con comer desordenado. Las mujeres, los mayores y los individuos con índice de masa corporal más elevado presentaron más comer desordenado. Por tanto, la versión unidimensional y breve de la DEAS mostró ajuste adecuado y puede contribuir a la evaluación correcta de los trastornos alimentarios en poblaciones distintas.

An aircraft seat discomfort scale using item response theory.

The purpose of this study is to construct an aircraft seat discomfort scale and verify the evidence of its validity and reliability. We developed a questionnaire and presented it to 1500 Brazilian passengers at an airport. The data analysis included: 1) factor analysis; 2) the analysis of the items to be used in the scale created using Item Response Theory. The scale covered all levels, from "without discomfort" to "maximum discomfort". At the level of minimal, a passenger feels that the aircraft seat is cramped and has little space. Discomfort tends to increase when passengers are unable to perform desired activities (eg: reading, sleeping), which causes irritation and disappointment. The maximum discomfort level occurs when noise disrupts activities and an aircraft seat is considered hard. The scale developed presented indications that it is reliable and valid, proving to be a useful tool for identifying levels of discomfort in aircraft seats.

An instrument calibrated by Item Response Theory to assess knowledge about head and neck cancer

Introduction: Head and neck tumors are in the 9º place among the most frequent cancers in the world, being the incidence of 700,000 new cases per year. To suspect and to diagnose early the cancer implies to know well the subject. The questionnaire is a good instrument for measuring knowledge. Objective: To provide an item bank, calibrated by the Item Response Theory (IRT), to evaluate the "knowledge about head and neck cancer", in any respondent, in order to benefit the studies on this construct, in the area of health education. Methods: To evaluate the "knowledge about head and neck cancer", we started with a scale already calibrated by the IRT, with 24 items for schoolchildren (n = 2,006). A further 29 items of equal difficulty were created (n = 994 schoolchildren). Then, 60 new items, of equal construct and greater difficulty (n = 883 dentistry professionals) were incorporated into this scale. Results: The analysis of 2,847 responses resulted in a bank with 113 items on head and neck cancer calibrated by IRT and arranged on a skill scale. Conclusion: From this collection of items, different questionnaires can be set up according to the skill level of the respondent. The results of the evaluations, in single or distinct moments, can be compared since the items are on the same scale of ability.

[Factors associated with food consumption in schools and overweight/obesity in 7 to 10-year-old schoolchildren in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Fatores associados ao consumo alimentar na escola e ao sobrepeso/obesidade de escolares de 7-10 anos de Santa Catarina, Brasil.

The scope of this article is to investigate the association between the source of snacks consumed in schools, their nutritional value and overweight/obesity. It involved a cross-sectional study with 3,930 schoolchildren aged between 7 and10 in the state of Santa Catarina. Food consumption in the school was assessed with an illustrated 24-hour dietary recall and the source of snacks was investigated by structured interview. Soft drinks and artificial fruit juices, fried and processed snacks, ready-to-eat or sweetened snacks, delicacies and stuffed biscuits were classified as "low nutritional value foods," while fruit, natural fruit juices, vegetables, and vegetable soup were the "high nutritional value foods." Univariate and multiple logistic regression was conducted. Overweight/obesity was significantly associated with higher food consumption from the school canteen (OR = 1.34; CI = 1.07-1.68) in private schools. Bringing food from home was significantly associated with increased consumption of low nutritional foods, both in public (OR = 1.56; CI = 1.32-1.83) and private (OR = 2.64; CI = 1.76-3.97) schools. The results highlight the need for tightening of norms to reduce the availability of low nutritional value food in canteens, and actions to promote nutritional education involving the school community.

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar associação entre a proveniência de lanches consumidos na escola, seu valor nutricional e o sobrepeso/obesidade. Estudo transversal com 3.930 escolares de 7-10 anos de idade, de Santa Catarina. O consumo alimentar na escola foi avaliado com R-24 horas ilustrado, e a origem dos lanches por entrevista estruturada. Refrigerantes e sucos artificiais, frituras, salgadinhos industrializados, lanches prontos, doces, guloseimas e biscoitos recheados foram classificados como "lanches de baixo valor nutricional", enquanto frutas, sucos naturais, legumes, verduras e sopa de verduras foram os "lanches de alto valor nutricional". Realizou-se regressão logística univariada e múltipla. O sobrepeso/obesidade se associou significativamente ao consumo de alimentos provenientes da cantina (OR = 1,34; IC = 1,07-1,68), na rede particular. Trazer alimentos de casa foi significativamente associado ao maior consumo de lanches de baixo valor nutricional, nas escolas públicas (OR = 1,56; IC = 1,32-1,83) e nas particulares (OR = 2,64; IC = 1,76-3,97). Os resultados apontam a necessidade de expansão de normativas que minimizem a disponibilidade de alimentos de baixo valor nutricional nas cantinas e que promovam educação nutricional envolvendo a comunidade escolar.

Fatores associados ao consumo alimentar na escola e ao sobrepeso/obesidade de escolares de 7-10 anos de Santa Catarina, Brasil / Factors associated with food consumption in schools and overweight/obesity in 7 to 10-year-old schoolchildren in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é investigar associação entre a proveniência de lanches consumidos na escola, seu valor nutricional e o sobrepeso/obesidade. Estudo transversal com 3.930 escolares de 7-10 anos de idade, de Santa Catarina. O consumo alimentar na escola foi avaliado com R-24 horas ilustrado, e a origem dos lanches por entrevista estruturada. Refrigerantes e sucos artificiais, frituras, salgadinhos industrializados, lanches prontos, doces, guloseimas e biscoitos recheados foram classificados como "lanches de baixo valor nutricional", enquanto frutas, sucos naturais, legumes, verduras e sopa de verduras foram os "lanches de alto valor nutricional". Realizou-se regressão logística univariada e múltipla. O sobrepeso/obesidade se associou significativamente ao consumo de alimentos provenientes da cantina (OR = 1,34; IC = 1,07-1,68), na rede particular. Trazer alimentos de casa foi significativamente associado ao maior consumo de lanches de baixo valor nutricional, nas escolas públicas (OR = 1,56; IC = 1,32-1,83) e nas particulares (OR = 2,64; IC = 1,76-3,97). Os resultados apontam a necessidade de expansão de normativas que minimizem a disponibilidade de alimentos de baixo valor nutricional nas cantinas e que promovam educação nutricional envolvendo a comunidade escolar.

Abstract The scope of this article is to investigate the association between the source of snacks consumed in schools, their nutritional value and overweight/obesity. It involved a cross-sectional study with 3,930 schoolchildren aged between 7 and10 in the state of Santa Catarina. Food consumption in the school was assessed with an illustrated 24-hour dietary recall and the source of snacks was investigated by structured interview. Soft drinks and artificial fruit juices, fried and processed snacks, ready-to-eat or sweetened snacks, delicacies and stuffed biscuits were classified as "low nutritional value foods," while fruit, natural fruit juices, vegetables, and vegetable soup were the "high nutritional value foods." Univariate and multiple logistic regression was conducted. Overweight/obesity was significantly associated with higher food consumption from the school canteen (OR = 1.34; CI = 1.07-1.68) in private schools. Bringing food from home was significantly associated with increased consumption of low nutritional foods, both in public (OR = 1.56; CI = 1.32-1.83) and private (OR = 2.64; CI = 1.76-3.97) schools. The results highlight the need for tightening of norms to reduce the availability of low nutritional value food in canteens, and actions to promote nutritional education involving the school community.

Shift work and sex are variants across Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire and the application of linking analysis as a step forward using Item Response Theory.

The frequency of sleep disturbances is considerably higher in the night and shift workers and in females than in day workers and males, respectively. However, a subjective sleep scale must be invariant across these groups, independently of the level of their members on the scale. This study is aimed to test the invariance of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire's (KSQ) items by shift work and sex. We used the data from a census that covered more than 90% (N = 1648) of the nurses from the main institute of the largest public hospital complex of Brazil. Firstly, we intend to find the KSQ's dimensionality using factorial analysis and Item Response Theory (IRT) performed by Graded Response Model. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was the technique used to test the invariance of each KSQ's dimensions. In case of variance detection, we applied the linking analysis. Intending to test the KSQ's consistency with external variables, we assessed correlations between KSQ's dimensions with health variables, i.e., self-reported health status and musculoskeletal pain. We have found one scale and two subscales from one general and another bidimensional factor structure of the KSQ, respectively. In these dimensions, the KSQ's items fitted well to the IRT and we have identified DIF by shift work. However, we have found DIF by sex just in one item on the general factor. Linking analysis showed as a possible step forward in the variance issue placing on to the same scale the shift work groups in the items with DIF. All correlations between KSQ's dimensions with health variables were significant. Our findings allow us to argue that KQS's items were variant by shift work and sex in a nursing staff census from the largest public hospital complex of Brazil, but we can go on using linking analysis. This could be used as an evidence for the construct validity should go beyond the traditional dimensionality assessment. The dimensionalities of KSQ fit well for other population but individuals living in Scandinavian countries.

Measuring nutritional knowledge using Item Response Theory and its validity in European adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the Nutritional Knowledge Test (NKT) using Item Response Theory (ITR) analysis and to assess the construct validity of the Nutritional Knowledge Scale (NKTS) and its associations with adolescent food group consumption and nutritional biomarkers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multicentre investigation conducted in ten European cities.ParticipantsAdolescents aged 12·5-17·5 years (n 3215) who completed over 75 % of the NKT. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated that the NKT can be analysed with a one-dimensional model. Eleven out of twenty-three items from the NKT presented adequate parameters and were selected to be included in the NKTS. Nutrition knowledge was positively associated with consumption of fruits, cereals, dairy products, pulses, meat and eggs, and fish, as well as with blood concentrations of vitamin C, ß-carotene, n-3 fatty acids, holo-transcobalamin, cobalamin and folate; nutrition knowledge was negatively associated with intake of olives and avocado, alcohol and savoury snacks. CONCLUSIONS: The NKTS assessed nutritional knowledge adequately and it is proposed as a new tool to investigate this subject in future studies.

Análise de qualidade de objeto virtual de aprendizagem para avaliação da dor em enfermagem / Análisis de calidad de objeto virtual de aprendizaje para la evaluación del dolor en enfermería / Quality Analysis of the Virtual Learning Object for Nursing Pain Assessment

RESUMO Introdução: A dor é um problema se saúde pública mundial, sendo que as lacunas no processo de ensino e aprendizagem sobre a avaliação da dor contribuem para esta situação. O desenvolvimento de estratégias inovadoras para o ensino-aprendizagem, como objetos virtuais de aprendizagem, pode colaborar para melhoraria do cuidado de pacientes com dor, sendo fundamental sua avaliação quanto a qualidade. Objetivo: Analisar a qualidade de um objeto virtual de aprendizagem para avaliação da dor aguda em enfermagem a partir do Learning Object Review Instrument 2.0. Métodos: Pesquisa metodológica com abordagem quantitativa. Participaram 5 enfermeiros especialistas e 62 estudantes de enfermagem, que avaliaram as 9 variáveis do instrumento (1-Pessimo até 5-Excelente). Resultados: Os resultados superaram a média alvo (3-Bom) entre estudantes (4,27) e especialistas (4,31). Destacaram-se entre estudantes: "Conformidade com normas" (4,47±0,88) e "Apresentação do projeto" (4,55±0,74), e entre especialistas: "Qualidade do conteúdo" (4,80±0,45) e a "Reusabilidade" (4,80±0,45). Conclusão: A nova tecnologia possui qualidade para aplicação no processo de ensino-aprendizagem em enfermagem sobre a avaliação da dor aguda. A tecnologia é encarada pelos participantes como um procedimento educacional a ser incorporado na vida acadêmica e profissional, que colabora com o processo de aprender a aprender, de modo flexível e interativo(AU)

RESUMEN Introducción: El dolor es un problema de la salud pública mundial, y las lagunas en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje sobre la evaluación del dolor contribuyen a esta situación. El desarrollo de estrategias innovadoras de enseñanza y aprendizaje, como objetos virtuales de aprendizaje, pueden colaborar para mejorar el cuidado de pacientes con dolor, siendo fundamental su evaluación en cuanto a calidad. Objetivo: Analizar la calidad de objeto virtual de aprendizaje para la evaluación del dolor agudo en enfermería a partir del Learning Object Review Instrument 2.0. Métodos: Investigación metodológica con enfoque cuantitativo. Participaron 5 enfermeros especialistas y 62 estudiantes de enfermería, que evaluaron las 9 variables del instrumento (1-Pésimo hasta 5-Excelente). Resultados: Los resultados superaron el promedio objetivo (3-Bueno) entre estudiantes (4,27) y especialistas (4,31). Se destacaron entre estudiantes: "Conformidad con normas" (4,47±0,88) y "Presentación del proyecto" (4,55±0,74), entre los especialistas "Calidad del contenido" (4,80±0,45) y la "Reusabilidad" (4,80±0,45). Conclusión: La nueva tecnología tiene calidad para aplicación en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje en enfermería sobre la evaluación del dolor agudo. La tecnología es encarada por los participantes como un procedimiento educativo a ser incorporado en la vida académica y profesional, que colabora con el proceso de aprender a aprender, de modo flexible e interactivo(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pain is a global public health concern, a situation to which gaps in the teaching and learning process of pain assessment contribute. Developing innovative teaching and learning strategies, as virtual learning objects, can help improve the care of patients with pain, being fundamental their quality-based assessment. Objective: To analyze the quality of the virtual learning object for acute pain assessment in nursing based on the Learning Object Review Instrument 2.0. Methods: Methodological research with a quantitative approach. Five specialized nurses and 62 nursing students participated, who evaluated the nine variables of the instrument (1-poor to 5-excellent). Results: The results exceeded the expected average (3-good) between students (4.27) and specialists (4.31). The following stood out among students:conformity to standards (4.47±0.88) and project presentation (4.55±0.74); and the ones that stood out among specialists were content quality (4.80±0.45) and reusability (4.80±0.45). Conclusion: The new technology has the quality to be used in the teaching and learning process in nursing for acute pain assessment. Technology is faced by the participants as an educational procedure to be incorporated into the academic and professional life, which collaborates with the process of learning to learn, in a flexible and interactive way(AU)