Researchers in Iran validated a new questionnaire that reliably measures food preferences across nine food categories in Persian-speaking adults. According to Gram Research analysis, the tool showed strong reliability (consistency scores of 0.62-0.93) and revealed that people with higher anxiety or depression had different preferences for fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein—suggesting food preferences may connect to mental health in meaningful ways.
Researchers in Iran created and tested a new tool to measure food preferences in Persian-speaking adults. The tool asks people about their likes and dislikes for different food groups—from fruits and vegetables to snacks and dairy products. After testing it with 522 adults, scientists found the tool works reliably and can even show connections between food preferences and mental health. According to Gram Research analysis, this questionnaire could help doctors and nutritionists better understand eating habits and provide personalized dietary advice to people in Persian-speaking communities.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 522 Persian-speaking adults found that a food preference questionnaire demonstrated reliability scores ranging from 0.62 to 0.93 across nine food categories, indicating moderate to excellent consistency.
Research reviewed by Gram found that adults with elevated anxiety or depression scores had significantly different preferences for fruits, vegetables, grain-based dishes, and animal protein compared to those with lower anxiety and depression scores.
The Persian version of the food preference questionnaire explained 41.73% of the total variance in food preference responses across nine distinct food categories including fruits, vegetables, snacks, cereals, rice, dairy, protein, and miscellaneous foods.
A 2026 study of 522 Iranian adults found that food preferences for fruits, vegetables, grain-based dishes, and animal protein all increased significantly with age, suggesting food preferences naturally evolve throughout adulthood.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a new questionnaire that measures what foods people prefer to eat actually works well and gives consistent, reliable answers.
- Who participated: 522 Persian-speaking adults living in Isfahan, Iran. The study included people from the general community with varying ages and backgrounds.
- Key finding: The questionnaire reliably measures food preferences across 9 different food categories, with reliability scores ranging from moderate to excellent (0.62-0.93 on a scale where 1.0 is perfect).
- What it means for you: If you speak Persian or live in a Persian-speaking community, doctors and nutritionists now have a validated tool to accurately assess your food preferences and potentially give better dietary recommendations. However, this tool was specifically tested in Iran and may need adjustment for other regions.
The Research Details
Scientists took an existing food preference questionnaire and adapted it for Persian speakers through a careful translation process called the forward-backward method. This means they translated it from English to Persian, then back to English to ensure accuracy. They then gave this questionnaire to 522 adults in Isfahan, Iran, and tested whether it gave consistent answers when people filled it out multiple times.
The researchers used several statistical methods to check if the tool worked properly. They measured test-retest reliability (whether people gave similar answers when asked the same questions again), internal consistency (whether questions about the same food group gave similar results), and construct validity (whether the tool actually measured what it claimed to measure). They also checked if the tool could distinguish between groups of people with different characteristics, like those with high versus low anxiety or depression.
Having a reliable tool to measure food preferences is important because what people like to eat strongly influences their actual eating habits and overall health. If doctors can accurately understand someone’s food preferences, they can give more personalized nutrition advice that people are actually likely to follow. This is especially important in different cultures where food preferences vary significantly.
The study used established statistical methods to validate the questionnaire, which is the gold standard approach. The sample size of 522 people is reasonably large for this type of research. The reliability scores (0.62-0.93) indicate the tool gives consistent results. The finding that food preferences correlated with anxiety and depression scores suggests the tool measures something meaningful about real-world eating patterns. However, the study was conducted only in Iran, so results may not apply equally to all Persian speakers worldwide.
What the Results Show
The questionnaire successfully identified 9 distinct food preference categories: fruits, vegetables, snacks, grain-based dishes, rice and bread, processed dairy products and condiments, animal protein, fresh dairy products, and miscellaneous foods. These 9 categories explained about 42% of the variation in how people answered the questions, which is considered acceptable for this type of analysis.
The reliability of the questionnaire was strong across all food categories. When researchers asked people the same questions again after a period of time, the answers were very similar (consistency scores ranged from 0.62 to 0.93, where 0.70 or higher is generally considered good). Internal consistency—whether related questions gave similar answers—was also acceptable to excellent (scores ranged from 0.54 to 0.90).
The questionnaire showed meaningful connections to mental health. People with elevated anxiety or depression scores had significantly different preferences for fruits, vegetables, grain-based dishes, and animal protein compared to those with lower anxiety or depression scores. Additionally, preferences for fruits, vegetables, grain-based dishes, and animal protein all increased with age, suggesting that food preferences naturally change as people get older.
The tool successfully distinguished between different groups of people based on their characteristics, confirming it measures real differences in food preferences. The connection between food preferences and mental health symptoms suggests that food choices may be linked to emotional well-being, though this study doesn’t prove one causes the other. The age-related patterns in food preferences align with previous research showing that eating habits evolve throughout adulthood.
This study adapted an existing questionnaire that had been validated in other languages and cultures. The Persian version showed similar reliability and validity patterns to the original versions, suggesting the translation was successful and the tool works consistently across different cultural contexts. The finding that food preferences correlate with mental health symptoms is consistent with previous research showing connections between diet and psychological well-being.
The study was conducted only in Isfahan, Iran, so results may not apply equally to all Persian speakers in other regions or countries. The questionnaire explained about 42% of the variation in responses, meaning other factors not measured here also influence food preferences. The study is cross-sectional, meaning it captured a single moment in time rather than following people over months or years, so we can’t determine if food preferences cause mental health changes or vice versa. The study didn’t include information about participants’ socioeconomic status or education level, which could influence food preferences.
The Bottom Line
Healthcare providers in Persian-speaking communities can confidently use this questionnaire to assess patients’ food preferences as part of nutrition counseling (high confidence). The tool appears reliable enough for research studies examining food preferences in Persian-speaking populations (high confidence). However, individuals shouldn’t use this tool for self-diagnosis of mental health conditions; the connection between food preferences and anxiety/depression is correlational, not causal (moderate confidence).
Persian-speaking adults in Iran and other Persian-speaking communities should care about this research because it means their doctors now have a validated tool to understand their food preferences. Nutritionists and dietitians working with Persian-speaking clients will find this tool useful. Researchers studying diet and health in Persian-speaking populations should use this validated questionnaire. People in other language groups should wait for similar validation studies in their own languages before using this specific tool.
If a healthcare provider uses this questionnaire to give you personalized nutrition advice, you might notice changes in your eating habits within 2-4 weeks as you adjust to recommendations. However, significant health improvements from dietary changes typically take 8-12 weeks to become noticeable. This questionnaire itself provides immediate feedback about your food preferences—you’ll see results as soon as you complete it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do scientists measure what foods people like to eat?
Scientists use questionnaires where people rate their preferences for different foods. This 2026 study validated a Persian-language questionnaire with 522 adults, measuring preferences across nine food categories including fruits, vegetables, snacks, and proteins. The tool showed strong reliability (0.62-0.93 consistency scores).
Can food preferences tell us about someone’s mental health?
Research shows connections between food preferences and mental health. This study found that people with higher anxiety or depression had different preferences for fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. However, this doesn’t prove food preferences cause mental health changes—the relationship is more complex.
Is this food preference questionnaire accurate and reliable?
Yes, for Persian speakers. The 2026 study found the questionnaire had moderate to excellent reliability (0.62-0.93) and internal consistency (0.54-0.90) across all nine food categories. However, it was tested only in Iran, so results may vary in other regions.
Do food preferences change as people get older?
According to this 2026 research of 522 adults, preferences for fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein all increased significantly with age. This suggests food preferences naturally evolve throughout adulthood, possibly reflecting changing nutritional needs and life experiences.
Can I use this questionnaire to improve my diet?
This questionnaire was designed for research and clinical assessment rather than self-help. However, understanding your food preferences can help you work with a nutritionist to build a diet around foods you actually enjoy, making it easier to stick with healthy eating habits.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users can take the food preference questionnaire monthly to track how their preferences change over time, noting any shifts in preference for fruits, vegetables, or other food groups alongside mood tracking to explore personal patterns.
- After completing the questionnaire, users receive a personalized food preference profile showing their strongest preferences across 9 food categories. They can then set goals to incorporate more of their preferred healthy foods (like fruits and vegetables if those scores are high) into their weekly meal planning.
- Track food preference scores quarterly alongside mood and anxiety ratings to identify personal patterns between food preferences and emotional well-being. Users can also monitor which food categories they’re actually eating versus which they prefer, helping identify gaps between preferences and actual intake.
This research describes a tool for measuring food preferences and should not be used for self-diagnosis of eating disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or mental health conditions. The connections found between food preferences and anxiety or depression are correlational, not causal—food preferences do not cause mental health conditions. If you have concerns about your diet or mental health, consult with a qualified healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or mental health professional. This questionnaire was validated specifically for Persian-speaking adults in Iran and may require adaptation for other populations. Always seek personalized medical advice rather than relying on research findings alone.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.