A Validation and Reliability Study of the Physical Activity and Healthy Food Efficacy Scale for Children (PAHFE)
Christina M. Perry, PhD1*,
R. J. De Ayala, PhD2,
Ryan Lebow, MA2,
Emily Hayden, MS3
1 Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
2 Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
3 Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: cperry3{at}unl.edu.
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Abstract |
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The purpose of this study was to obtain validity evidence for the Physical Activity and Healthy Food Efficacy Scale for Children (PAHFE). Construct validity evidence identifies four subscales: Goal-Setting for Physical Activity, Goal-Setting for Healthy Food Choices, Decision-Making for Physical Activity, and Decision-Making for Healthy Food Choices. The scores on each of these subscales show a moderate to high degree of internal consistency (0.59 <
<0.87). The Decision-Making for Healthy Food Choice subscale and the Decision-Making for Physical Activity subscale scores show significant convergent validity evidence. These results provide support for using this self-efficacy scale to measure children’s perceived confidence to make decisions about healthy eating and physical activity. The PAHFE may be considered to be a useful predictor of both physical activity and eating behaviors.
