[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 65455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18797]



[[Page 65455]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this Notice invites the 
general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed 
information collection by the Economic Research Service (ERS). This 
information collection will provide data needed to develop 
questionnaires and related instruments capable of collecting reliable 
and valid information on topics including stress and food-related 
behavior, cognitive load and food-related behavior, and self-control 
and food-related behavior. ERS plans to conduct data collections that 
involve formative research, including such methods as cognitive 
interviews (individuals), and pre-testing and field testing of survey 
items (in person, telephone).

DATES: Comments on this Notice must be received by January 12, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information regarding this Notice 
should be directed to Dr. Mark Denbaly, Economic Research Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street, NW., Room S2078, Washington, 
DC 20036-5831. Submit electronic comments to [email protected] or 
fax to 202-694-5390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Formative Research for Development and Testing of 
Questionnaires on the Psychological Determinants of Food Consumption 
Behavior.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A.
    Type of Request: Approval to collect information from civilian, 
non-institutionalized population, especially low-income individuals and 
households targeted by USDA food assistance programs.
    Abstract: Diet-related health conditions account for a large 
fraction of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Significant 
sections of the U.S. population consume sub-optimal diets characterized 
by overconsumption and poor diet quality. Diet-related health 
conditions such as obesity have increased rapidly among all population 
groups, including the low-income and food assistance program 
recipients. Health care costs related to poor diets and obesity are 
placing a growing burden on the health insurance system. Poor diets and 
the growing rate of obesity among children imply that such costs will 
continue to increase unless dietary behaviors become more healthful. A 
growing body of research suggests standard economic models modified to 
account for systematic errors, cognitive biases, and self control 
problems in decision making may offer a more complete explanation of 
the persistence of poor dietary choices and offer a wider array of 
public policy solutions. While such new behavioral economics research 
has examined decision making in other domains of consumer choice, there 
has been limited research on food consumption and dietary habits. In 
particular, there is a lack of reliable, valid questionnaires or other 
short, practical population measures capable of collecting valid 
information on topics including stress and food-related behavior, 
cognitive load and food-related behavior, and self-control and food-
related behavior. Dietary assessment through 24-hour dietary recall is 
well-established. However, development of new questionnaires for 
assessing stress, cognitive load, and self-control as they relate to 
dietary behavior and the assessment of their reliability and validity 
will require formative research. Formative research methods such as 
cognitive interviewing and field testing will assist ERS to develop 
questionnaires and related measures that are understandable and yield 
reliable, valid information on psychological and behavioral 
underpinnings of food choice. Findings from all subsequent data 
collections will be included in summary reports submitted to OMB. The 
reports will describe the data collection methods used in the formative 
research, findings, conclusions, implications, and recommendations for 
the development of reliable, valid questionnaires and related measures. 
There will be no attempt to generalize the findings to be nationally 
representative.
    Methods of Collection: The data will be collected using a 
combination of methodologies appropriate to each formative research 
activity. These methodologies could include cognitive interviews and 
pretest/field tests.

                     Estimated Number of Respondents and Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
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                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of      respondent    Total hours of
                     Type of data collection                        respondents       burden          burden
                                                                                     (minutes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cognitive Interviews/Pretesting.................................              24              20               8
Field Test......................................................             800             120           1,600
    Totals......................................................             824             N/A           1,608
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    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments on 
this Notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in 
the request for OMB approval.

     Dated: October 19, 2006.
Susan Offutt,
Administrator, Economic Research Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18797 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P