Table 1 Description of measures including scale items, scale range, scale means and Cronbach alphas

I don’t think much about food each day

Cooking or barbequing is not much fun

Talking about what I ate or what I am going to eat is something I like to do

Compared with other daily decisions, my food choices are not very important

When I travel, one of the things I anticipate most is the food

I do most or all of the clean up after eating^

I enjoy cooking for others and myself

When I eat out, I don’t think or talk much about how the food tastes

I do not like to handle (e.g. mix or chop) food

I do most or all of my food shopping

I do not wash dishes or clean the table^

I care whether or not a table is nicely set^

Food mavenism ¹

I like introducing new foods to my friends and family

I like helping people by providing them with information about food

People ask me for information about food

If someone asked where to get the best information about a particular food or nutrition topic, I could tell him or her where to go

My friends think of me as a good source of information when it comes to new information about food

Pleasure motivation ¹

I do not believe that food should always be a source of pleasure,

The appearance of food makes no difference to me and when I eat

I concentrate on enjoying the taste of food

Health motivation ¹

The healthiness of food has little impact on my food choice

I am very particular about the healthiness of the food I eat

I eat what I like and do not worry much about the healthiness of food

Food enjoyment ²

I used to enjoy the taste of food more than I do now

A special diet keeps me from eating the food I would like to eat

Health problems keep me from eating the food I would like to eat

Money problems keep me from eating the food I would like to eat

Eating alone most of the time keeps me from enjoying my meal

Cooking problems keep me from enjoying the foods I would like to eat

Social connection ³

Relative: Considering the people you are related by either marriage or birth

How many relatives do you see or hear from at least once a month?

How many relatives do you feel close to, such that you could call on them for help?

How many relatives do you feel at ease with that you can talk about private matters?

Friendship: Considering all of your friends including those living in your neighbourhood

How many friends do you see or hear from at least once a month?

How many friends do you feel close to, such that you could call on them for help?

How many friends do you feel at ease with that you can talk about private matters?