Patient‑Reported Outcome Measures for Food Preference in Adults: A COSMIN‑Based Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Food preference is a key determinant of eating behavior and dietary choice in adults. Reliable and valid assessment tools are essential for tailoring dietary interventions, increasing adherence, and improving clinical and nutritional outcomes. Objective To systematically identify and evaluate the psychometric properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assessing food preference in adults, specifically focusing on the evidence provided in their initial development and validation reports. Design Systematic review of measurement properties conducted in accordance with the COSMIN guidelines. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL for relevant literature published from database inception through September 2, 2025. Studies were included if they reported the initial development, validation, or cross-cultural adaptation of a self-reported food preference PROM in adults. Methodological quality and measurement properties were assessed using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist and COSMIN criteria for good measurement properties (version 2.0). Certainty of evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach. Results Thirty unique PROMs were identified. Five instruments—Preferences and Self-Efficacy of Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire for Latina Women (PSEDPALW), Brazilian version of the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ-BR), Food Liking Questionnaire (FLQ), the Food Liking Questionnaire in a French-Canadian Population (FLQ-FC), and Food Choice Determinants Questionnaire (FCDQ)—demonstrated sufficient content validity and internal consistency with moderate-to-high certainty of evidence and were classified as Class A recommendations. No included study reported evidence for measurement error, cross-cultural validity/measurement invariance, or responsiveness. Conclusion FCDQ, FCQ-BR, FLQ, FLQ-FC, and PSEDPALW were reliable tools for assessing food preference in adults. While initial development efforts often establish robust internal structure, properties such as responsiveness and qualitative transparency in item generation are frequently overlooked during a tool’s inception. Future research should ensure that the initial stages of PROM development adhere more strictly to COSMIN’s qualitative standards and longitudinal validation protocols.