Behavior and Psychology
Obesity (2008) 16 4, 763–769. doi:10.1038/oby.2008.3
Psychometric Evaluation of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire for Bariatric Surgery Candidates
Joshua I. Hrabosky1, Marney A. White1, Robin M. Masheb1, Bruce S. Rothschild1,2, Carolyn H. Burke-Martindale3 and Carlos M. Grilo1
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- 2Department of Psychiatry, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
- 3Department of Surgery, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Correspondence: Carlos M. Grilo (carlos.grilo@yale.edu)
Received 8 May 2007; Accepted 11 August 2007; Published online 7 February 2008.
Abstract
Objective:
Despite increasing use of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in bariatric surgery patients, little is known about the utility and psychometric performance of this self-report measure in this clinical group. The primary purpose of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure and construct validity of the EDE-Q in a large series of bariatric surgery candidates.
Methods and Procedures:
Participants were 337 obese bariatric surgery candidates. Participants completed the EDE-Q and a battery of behavioral and psychological measures.
Results:
Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) produced a 12-item, 4-factor structure of the EDE-Q. The four factors, interpreted as Dietary Restraint, Eating Disturbance, Appearance Concerns, and Shape/Weight Overvaluation, were found to be internally consistent and converged with other relevant measures of psychopathology.
Discussion:
Factor analysis of the EDE-Q in bariatric surgery candidates did not replicate the original subscales but revealed an alternative factor structure. Future research must further evaluate the psychometric properties, including the factor structure, of the EDE-Q in this and other diverse populations and consider means of improving this measure's ability to best assess eating-related pathology in bariatric surgery patients.
