THE NORTHWEST LIPID RESEARCH CLINIC FAT INTAKE SCALE - VALIDATION ANDUTILITY

Objectives. This paper describes the Northwest Lipid Research Clinic F at Intake Scale, a brief dietary questionnaire to screen and monitor d ietary intake related to plasma cholesterol levels. Methods. The 12-it em instrument assesses intake of foods high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Test-retest reliability was assessed on 194 men and 116 women with high cholesterol prior to a dietary intervention study. To measure validity and responsiveness to dietary change, scores were com pared with 4-day food records before and after diet education classes. Results. Test-retest correlation coefficients were .88 for men and .9 0 for women (2 weeks between scores). Scores for men and women were co rrelated with nutrients shown by food records at baseline (.47 and .54 , total fat; .50 and .51, saturated fat) and 18 months postinterventio n (.52 and .58, total fat; .56 and .64, saturated fat; all Ps < .001). Mean scores decreased from about 30 to 23 (P < .001, paired t test). Conclusions. The Fat Intake Scale, a qualitative instrument, has accep table reliability and validity for estimating the level of cholesterol -related diet components and reflects dietary modification. The format of the instrument also lends itself to patient education and goal set ting.