Validation and adaptation of the short-perceived food literacy scale (SPFL) among Israeli women

Background Food literacy (FL) encompasses the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for making informed food choices. The short-perceived food literacy scale (SPFL, 29 items) is a widely used FL measurement tool, yet it has not been validated and adapted for the diverse Israeli population. This study aims to validate and shorten an adapted SPFL for Hebrew and Arabic-speaking women in Israel, ensuring cultural relevance and reducing respondent burden. Methods The validation process comprised three steps: face validity and pretesting of an extended 35-item SPFL, content validation via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on survey data including 2,129 participants (653 Arabic speakers, 1,476 Hebrew speakers), and convergent validity assessment through correlation with the Israeli Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (I-MEDAS). Reliability was assessed via internal consistency measures, and associations between FL levels and socio-demographic factors were also examined. CFA confirmed the original SPFL’s 8-domain structure, while EFA identified six FL domains, leading to a refined 23-item modified SPFL (M-SPFL). Results The M-SPFL demonstrated strong internal consistency (composite reliability = 0.89) and acceptable model fit across both language groups, and was correlated with the original SPFL (r = 0.96, p < .001) and with I-MEDAS scores (r = 0.52, p < .001). FL levels were positively associated with age, marital status, and higher education. Conclusions The M-SPFL is a valid, reliable, and culturally adapted tool for assessing FL among Israeli women. Its application can enhance public health initiatives by informing targeted nutrition interventions to improve dietary behaviors and reduce health disparities. Trial registration Not applicable.