BMC Public Health. 2026 Jun 22. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-28251-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Out-of-home food consumption has become an integral component of contemporary dietary patterns, particularly in urban contexts. Evidence suggests that eating outside the home is associated with diet quality, nutritional intake, and broader public health outcomes. However, Brazil lacks validated multidimensional instruments capable of comprehensively assessing the economic, behavioral, and experiential determinants underlying this behavior. This study aimed to develop and validate the Scale of Determinant Factors in Out-of-Home Food Consumption (SDF-OHFC) and to examine the structural relationships among its dimensions.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 426 Brazilian adults who reported consuming food outside the home at least once per week. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model was assessed for reliability, convergent and discriminant validity. Structural relationships were tested using bootstrapping procedures (5,000 resamples), and predictive performance was evaluated through R², Q², RMSE, and MAE. Measurement invariance was examined across sex, marital status, and geographic regions.
RESULTS: The SDF-OHFC comprises five dimensions: economic aspects, convenience, habits and personal preferences, social and experiential aspects, and perceived food quality. The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.705-0.762), composite reliability (> 0.70), and convergent validity (AVE > 0.50). All hypothesized structural relationships were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Economic aspects played a central antecedent role, positively influencing convenience and habits, and negatively influencing social and experiential aspects. Convenience and social and experiential dimensions were positively associated with perceived food quality. Structural invariance was confirmed across all tested demographic groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The SDF-OHFC is a valid and reliable multidimensional instrument for assessing determinants of out-of-home food consumption in Brazil. By integrating economic, behavioral, and experiential factors within a single framework, the scale supports public health research and policy development aimed at improving urban food environments, promoting healthier eating practices, and addressing structural determinants of dietary behavior.
PMID:42324459 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-28251-x
