Validation and reliability assessment of an instrument to measure eating disorders and sport nutrition knowledge among high school wrestling coaches, wrestlers, and their parents or guardians

The purpose of this study was to establish the validity and reliability of the Wrestlers, Coaches and Parents (WCP) Eating Disorders and Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire. Thirty eating disorder and 21 sport nutrition questions underwent an expert panel and a target population review to establish face validity. The instrument was placed into SurveyMonkey and sent electronically to high school wrestling coaches (WRC) by a large national wrestling association. WRC were asked to forward the survey on to their wrestlers (WR) or the wrestlers parents or guardians (PG).;The eating disorders and sport nutrition questions were separated into the Eating Disorders Knowledge Survey (EDKS) and the Sport Nutrition Knowledge Survey (SNKS). The exploratory factor analysis of the EDKS by the WRC subgroup resulted in a four factor 11-item solution; each item demonstrated a factor loading of 0.400 or higher and a total Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of α=0.521, which indicate an invalid instrument with a weak reliability coefficient.;The exploratory factor analysis of the SNKS by the WRC revealed a dominate Eigenvalue (6.067) and significant scree plot drop-off after the first component. The final 10 items demonstrated factor loadings of 0.400 and higher, explained 28.892% of the variance, and had a total Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of α=0.871 indicating strong internal reliability. Three common themes were noted in the factor: diet for weight loss or gain; hydration; and vitamin, mineral, or supplement needs.;Although the original instrument was unable to be analyzed, our research suggests the 10-item SNKS is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to measure high school WRC knowledge of sport nutrition.;A convenience sample of 949 participants responded to the WCP Eating Disorders and Sport Nutrition Questionnaire; respondents were WRC (78.6%, n=747) WR (10.2%, n=97) or PG (11.1%, n=105). An exploratory factor analysis with univariate demographic information, varimax rotation and scree plot revealed an inadequate number of respondents in the WR and PG subgroups.