A validation of a malay-chrononutrition questionnaire (M-CNQ) for Malaysian adults

Chrononutrition emphasizes the role of meal timing, frequency, and regularity in alignment with the circadian rhythm, influencing cardiometabolic health. In Malaysia, there is a lack of validated instruments to assess chrononutrition behaviours, especially for shift workers who are vulnerable to circadian misalignment. This study aimed to adapt and validate a Malay version of the Chrononutrition Questionnaire (M- CNQ) for use among Malaysian general adults and shift workers. The CNQ was translated using forward and backwards translation. Content validity was evaluated by expert panels (n = 10 for the general population, n = 11 for the shift workers), and face validity involved pilot testing with both populations. Test-retest reliability was conducted over a two-week interval among 147 participants using Cronbach’s alpha, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Chrononutrition behavioural profiles were established using cut-off criteria to classify patterns of sleep and eating behaviour. The results showed that the M-CNQ had acceptable content and face validity for both groups. Sleep-related variables demonstrated moderate reliability (α and ICC = 0.42–0.67) in the general population and good to excellent reliability (0.74–1.0) in the shift workers. Temporal eating pattern variables showed lower reliability in the general adults but higher reliability in certain shift types. The M-CNQ effectively classified the chrononutrition behaviours, identifying patterns such as late chronotype, prolonged eating windows, and irregular meal timing. In conclusion, the M-CNQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing chrononutrition behaviours among Malaysian adults. This tool may aid in future research and public health initiatives aimed at improving circadian-aligned eating practices and reducing diet-related health risks.