PILATES (Physical Activity and Diet Survey): An Italian Self-Administered Questionnaire Evaluating Diet Habits of Gym-Goers. Validation Process

ABSTRACT

PILATES study aims are to assess the main characteristics related to food habits, diet behaviors, and nutrition knowledge and how and where gym-goers get information on dietary supplementation. We present evidence for the reliability, feasibility, and construct validity of the PILATES questionnaire. Cohen's kappa statistic (k) for dichotomous variables was used to assess the agreement between the two administrations (interrater agreement). The nutrient composition and energy of food were derived from the Food Composition Database for Epidemiological Studies in Italy (Banca Dati di Composizione degli Alimenti per Studi Epidemiologici in Italia – BDA). Because of energy intake, waist circumference and weight are continuous variables; we calculate the agreement between the two interviews using Spearman's rho coefficient (nonparametric measure of rank correlation). An Italian 21-item self-administered questionnaire was designed and pretested on 28 students in food science and human nutrition at the University of Perugia who were enrolled on a voluntary basis. After verifying the feasibility of the questionnaire, pretest evaluation showed a generally high concordance with an 87.32% of agreement and k value = 0.71 ± 0.23. In addition, weight, daily energy intake, and waist circumference confirmed a statistically significant agreement (p <.001, Spearman rho coefficient). PILATES questionnaire is a valid tool to estimate dietary intakes in a fairly simple, cost-effective, and timesaving manner.

KEYWORDS:

• food frequency
• gym-goers
• physical activity
• questionnaire
• supplementation
• validation process

Acknowledgments

The study was designed by VG and MM; data were collected by FC and analyzed by VG and MV; data interpretation and manuscript preparation were undertaken by VG, DN, MV, and MM. All authors approved the final version of the article. We thank all the students who voluntarily participated in the study and the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health (S.It.I), Umbria Section, for the scientific support.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Practical implications

A validated questionnaire, aimed to assess food consumption frequency in gym-goers, is now available. The k Cohen test and Spearman rho coefficient were used. The questionnaire was tested on an Italian population.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vincenza Gianfredi

Vincenza Gianfredi, M.D., resident in Public Health, Post graduate School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. Research interest: epidemioly, nutritional science and public health.

Daniele Nucci

Daniele Nucci, BcS, MS (Dietetics and Nutrition) is currently working as a researcher Dietitian, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy. Research interest: diet, weight, physical activity and cancer prevention.

Francesco Ceccarelli

Francesco Ceccarelli, Dr.Sc. (Nutrition), was member of Prof. Moretti's research team and participated in various aspects of data collection and analysis.

Milena Villarini

Milena Villarini, Dr.Sc. (Biology), is currently working as Senior Researcher, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. Research interest: community-based participatory research (nutrition education studies).

Massimo Moretti

Massimo Moretti, Dr.Sc. (Biology), is currently working as Associate Professor & Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. Research interest: invitro and in vivo safety assessment of herbal/natural compounds.