# Psychometric validation of the food and nutrition literacy scale (Escala de Literacia da Alimentação e Nutrição – E-LAN) among Portuguese youth

## TL;DR

This paper validates a tool to measure food and nutrition literacy in Portuguese youth, showing it is reliable and useful for public health.

## Contribution

A validated Portuguese version of the E-LAN scale for assessing food and nutrition literacy in youth is introduced.

## Key findings

- The E-LAN scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.889) after item revisions.
- The revised scale demonstrated acceptable model fit with six factors.
- The tool is suitable for public health programs targeting youth nutrition literacy.

## Abstract

Psychometric Validation of the Escala de Literacia da Alimentação e Nutrição (E-LAN), addressing the current lack of validated instruments for assessing food and nutrition literacy among portuguese youth.

Cross-sectional.

The study was conducted in a school setting in the western region of central Portugal between April 10 and 12, 2024, using a convenience sample of children aged 10–12 years. The E-LAN comprises 49 items (42 Likert-scale and 7 multiple-choice) across seven subscales assessing cognitive and skills domains. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's α, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the internal structure, using χ2/df, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA as fit indices.

The initial scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.875). Four items were removed due to low item-total correlations and factor loadings. The revised 38-item version demonstrated improved reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.889), acceptable inter-item correlations, and good model fit (χ2/df = 1.45; AGFI = 0.91; CFI = 0.93; TLI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.06).

The E-LAN is a concise, reliable, and valid tool for assessing food and nutrition literacy among portuguese youth, supporting its use in public health research and interventions.

•The scale assesses youth food and nutrition literacy.•The Portuguese version includes 38 Likert items and 7 multiple choice items.•The scale showed good internal consistency and acceptable six-factor fit.•Its application provides data to guide public health programs.

The scale assesses youth food and nutrition literacy.

The Portuguese version includes 38 Likert items and 7 multiple choice items.

The scale showed good internal consistency and acceptable six-factor fit.

Its application provides data to guide public health programs.