Development and psychometric validation of the diet and physical activity questionnaire for patients with diabetes (DPQD)

Lack of culturally and linguistically tailored instruments limits the assessment of lifestyle awareness in Hindi-speaking individuals with diabetes. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate the diet and physical activity questionnaire for patients with diabetes (DPQD) as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing dietary practices and physical activity behaviors among patients with diabetes. The 10-item DPQD was generated through item formulation, expert review, and translation. In a cross-sectional study, it was administered to 125 Hindi-speaking adults with diabetes in a tertiary care hospital in North India. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and construct validity using exploratory factor analysis. The DPQD demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.909). Factor analysis confirmed a unidimensional structure, with a single component explaining 55.02% of variance, indicating strong cohesiveness of items in assessing diet and physical activity awareness. The Hindi DPQD is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating lifestyle awareness in diabetic patients. Its use can help health care workers identify knowledge gaps, deliver targeted education, and enhance self-management practices, ultimately improving outcomes in this underserved population.