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Reproducibility, power and validity of visual analogue scales in assessment of appetite sensations in single test meal studies

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 38–48 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine reproducibility and validity of visual analogue scales (VAS) for measurement of appetite sensations, with and without a diet standardization prior to the test days.

DESIGN: On two different test days the subjects recorded their appetite sensations before breakfast and every 30 min during the 4.5 h postprandial period under exactly the same conditions.

SUBJECTS: 55 healthy men (age 25.6±0.6 y, BMI 22.6±0.3 kg/m2).

MEASUREMENTS: VAS were used to record hunger, satiety, fullness, prospective food consumption, desire to eat something fatty, salty, sweet or savoury, and palatability of the meals. Subsequently an ad libitum lunch was served and energy intake was recorded. Reproducibility was assessed by the coefficient of repeatability (CR) of fasting, mean 4.5 h and peak/nadir values.

RESULTS: CRs (range 20–61 mm) were larger for fasting and peak/nadir values compared with mean 4.5 h values. No parameter seemed to be improved by diet standardization. Using a paired design and a study power of 0.8, a difference of 10 mm on fasting and 5 mm on mean 4.5 h ratings can be detected with 18 subjects. When using desires to eat specific types of food or an unpaired design, more subjects are needed due to considerable variation. The best correlations of validity were found between 4.5 h mean VAS of the appetite parameters and subsequent energy intake (r=±0.50−0.53, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: VAS scores are reliable for appetite research and do not seem to be influenced by prior diet standardization. However, consideration should be given to the specific parameters being measured, their sensitivity and study power.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Charlotte Kostecki, Karina Graff Larsen and Berit Kristiansen for expert assistance in the preparation and serving of more than 200 meals. The study was supported by The Danish Research and Development programme for Food Technology (1995–1998) and The Danish Medical Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Department of Human Nutrition, Center for Food Research, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, DK-1958, Denmark

    A Flint, A Raben & A Astrup

  2. Department of Psychology, BioPsychology Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    JE Blundell

Authors
  1. A Flint
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  2. A Raben
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  3. JE Blundell
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  4. A Astrup
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Flint.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Table 6

Table 6 Questions on appetite and desire for specific food types
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Appendix 2

Table 7

Table 7 Questions on palatability of test meals
Full size table

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Flint, A., Raben, A., Blundell, J. et al. Reproducibility, power and validity of visual analogue scales in assessment of appetite sensations in single test meal studies. Int J Obes 24, 38–48 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801083

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