The Assessment of Food-related Problems in Individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop an informant-based questionnaire to assess food-related problems in people with Prader-Willi syndrome and to conduct an examination of psychometric properties.

Design: Following a content analysis of informant interview responses a 16-item questionnaire, the Food Related Problem Questionnaire (FRPQ), with three subscales (preoccupation with food, impairment of satiety and other food-related 'challenging' behaviour) was developed. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability, concurrent and criterion validity and internal consistency were examined.

Results: Total score test-retest and inter-rater reliability coefficients were both .86. Subscale test-retest and inter-rater reliability are acceptable for the subscales (range.67 to.85). Total scores on the FRPQ and all subscale scores and differentiated between a group of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome and a comparison group (p<.001 in all cases). For relevant items of the FRPQ significant positive correlations with items on the Checklist of Challenging Behaviour were achieved. Internal consistency for the total scale was good (Cronbach's Alpha=.87).

Conclusions: The FRPQ has sufficiently robust psychometric properties for use in future research and clinical practice to appraise the food-related problems often seen in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.