Validation of a self-administered version of the Mediterranean diet scale (MDS) for cardiac rehabilitation patients in Canada

Abstract

The Mediterranean dietary pattern has been linked with lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and the Mediterranean diet scale (MDS) has been created to incorporate and test the inherent characteristics of this dietary pattern. This study aimed to psychometrically validate a self-administered version of the MDS in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients in Canada. To establish content validity, the scale was reviewed by an expert interdisciplinary panel. A final version of the tool was tested in 150 CR patients. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.69. All ICC coefficients met the minimum recommended standard. Factor analysis revealed four factors, all internally consistent. Criterion validity was supported by significant differences in total scores by duration in CR. Construct validity was supported by agreements between the self-administered MDS and original MDS in all items and with the 3-day food record in 8 of 13 items. In conclusion, the self-administered version of the MDS demonstrated good reliability and validity.

Keywords:

• Validation studies
• diet
• Mediterranean
• cardiac rehabilitation
• coronary artery disease/prevention and control
• diet surveys

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the patients and healthcare providers that helped with the study in the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Toronto Western Hospital.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the 2017 UHN Collaborative Academic Practice (CAP) Direct entry Internal Research Grant. Gabriela SS Chaves was supported by the Foundation for Supporting Research in the states of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).