Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Factor Analysis of a Persian Version of the Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale

Abstract

Feeding disorders in early childhood involve maladaptive mealtime behaviors, nutritional deficits, and strained parent-child interactions. Standardized tools for Persian-speaking populations are scarce. This study translated and adapted the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) into Persian and evaluated its psychometric properties. The process included translation/adaptation and psychometric testing. Content validity was reviewed by 14 experts, face validity by interviews with 25 mothers, and construct validity via factor analysis with 203 mothers. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and test-retest stability. Interviews refined the questionnaire format. Factor analysis yielded five child subscales and three parent subscales, explaining 45.11 and 56.72 of variance. The scale demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .94; ICC = 0.94). Findings confirm that the Persian BPFAS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing feeding disorders in children in Persian-speaking families. Its multidimensional factor structure highlights the complexity of feeding problems and supports its use for early identification and behavioral intervention planning in clinical and community settings.