Abstract

The objective of this study is to design a tool that could be used in the cardiac rehabilitation setting to quickly assess dietary habits and identify individual participants’ dietary education requirements. An initial study compared a research diet history of 4 0 participants against the results of the Diet Habits Questionnaire. Concurrent validity has been established as there was a significant difference between mean (95% CI) intake of 5 .7 (0.6 - 10.7) g saturated fat 6.8 (2.9 - 10.8) g fibre and 417 (5 - 838) mg sodium between participants requiring additional dietary advice and those who do not require additional intervention based on the DHQ score. The inter-rater reliability of the DHQ was high with strength of agreement rated as moderate for fat and substantial for fibre and sodium. The Diet Habits Questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable screening tool for the assessment of dietary habits in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Further research may establish its usefulness not just in cardiac rehabilitation, but in other health centres such as general practice and community health settings.