Translation and validation of Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)

Abstract

Introduction: Food insecurity has a complex and multifaceted concept and definition, thus assessing it has been an ongoing challenge for researchers, health practitioners, and policy makers. Previous studies reported inconsistent findings on the prevalence and severity of food insecurity, depending on the measuring tools used. To overcome this limitation, this study aimed to translate and validate the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) for Malaysians, which has been used as a standard measurement by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Methods: Two forward and backward translations involving experts in food insecurity studies and experts in language were done, as well as the pre-test and cognitive interview stipulated in World Health Organization (WHO) translation guidelines. Content and face validity were conducted as part of the validation process. Content Validity Index (CVI) was done to analyse content validity. Results: The harmonised Malay version of FIES was produced with 1.0 CVI, which was above the 0.8 criteria. Face validity showed good understandability and clarity of FIES. Conclusion: The translated Malay version of FIES had good acceptability, as well as good face validity when tested among the target audience. Thus, a full validation study of the Malay version FIES should be done before it is widely used to measure food insecurity in the population, specifically the Malaysian population.

Changes in health-related lifestyles and food insecurity and its association with quality of life during the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia

“…Sleep quality was measured using the Sleep Quality Questionnaire which was based on the eight-item Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) (concerns about getting to sleep, remaining asleep, sleep quality, daytime personal functioning, daytime performance, duration of sleep problem, nights per week having a sleep problem and extent troubled by poor sleep) [ 12 ]. Meanwhile, food insecurity status was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) questionnaire [ 13 ]. FIES is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of eight items that assess individual or household experience and behavior towards food accessibility.…”