Psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 in Spanish schoolchildren

Introduction: Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours (DEABs) can impact both the mental and physical health of children. Early detection is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used, cost-effective tool for assessing DEABs. Obje...

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Published in:Anales de Pediatría 2024-04, Vol.100 (4), p.241-250
Main Authors: Néstor Montoro-Pérez, Raimunda Montejano-Lozoya, David Martín-Baena, Marta Talavera-Ortega, M. Rosario Gómez-Romero
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
EAT-26
Estudio de Validación
Instituciones Académicas
Niños
Sexo
Trastornos de alimentación y de la ingestión de alimentos
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Summary:Introduction: Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours (DEABs) can impact both the mental and physical health of children. Early detection is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used, cost-effective tool for assessing DEABs. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 by analysing its factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance across sexes in Spanish schoolchildren. Method: Validation study in a sample of 718 schoolchildren. The sample was randomly divided into 2 groups, each with 359 participants, and we carried out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the instrument. Subsequently, we assessed the internal consistency by means of the ordinal alpha, the convergent validity with the SCOFF questionnaire and the measurement invariance across the sexes. Results: The results of the EFA and CFA supported a multidimensional structure of the EAT comprising 6 factors and 21 items. These factors underlie a second-order model of DEABs. The internal consistency was adequate for most factors. The SCOFF questionnaire showed a moderate convergent validity for most of the EAT-21 factors. We found measurement invariance across the sexes. Conclusions: The abbreviated EAT-21 scale exhibited modest and promising psychometric properties, making it a suitable instrument for assessing DEABs in both sexes in educational settings. Resumen: Introducción: Las Actitudes y Comportamientos Alimentarios Desordenados (DEAB, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden afectar tanto a la salud mental como física en los niños/as. Su detección temprana es crucial para prevenir complicaciones y mejorar las posibilidades de recuperación. El Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada para evaluar los DEAB debido a su costo-efectividad. Objetivo: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del EAT-26, analizando la estructura factorial, consistencia interna, validez convergente e invarianza de medida entre ambos sexos en escolares españoles. Método: Estudio instrumental con una muestra de 718 escolares. La muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en dos grupos, cada uno con 359 participantes, realizando un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE) y un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC). Posteriormente, se estimó la consistencia interna con el alfa ordinal, la validez convergente con el cuestionario SCOFF y la
ISSN:2341-2879