Structural Equation Model of Dietary Style and Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of the dietary style of pregnant women according to their food choice attributes based on their level of adherence to dietary guidelines by establishing a structural equation model (SEM) for the relationship between food choice attributes and dietary guidelines compliance. Surveys were assembled from July to August 2017 and a statistical analysis of the 215 responses was conducted. The outcomes of factor analysis of dietary style, food choice attributes and level of adherence to dietary guidelines of pregnant women resulted in their being categorized into five, one and four categories, respectively. The evaluation model of the confirmatory factor test was also confirmed to be valid since the results produced the values of χ2=408.785, ICFI=0.915, GFI=0.905, FI=0.922, NFI=0.832, AGFI=0.831, RMSEA=0.058 and RMR=0.045, which was acceptable, and certified the appropriateness of the model. In an effort to study the food choice attributes in conformity with the dietary style and level of adherence to dietary guidelines of pregnant women, a SEM was composed and examined. All tests indicated that the model met the offered levels for the fit index’s goodness, and therefore, the all study model have proven to be suitable.