Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q): norms for young adult women.
In order to establish norms for the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) among young adult women, the questionnaire was administered to a large general population sample of women aged 18-42 yr in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) region of Australia. Normative data were derived for EDE-Q subscales and for the occurrence of specific eating disorder behaviours, for each of five age bands (18-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33-37, 38-42 yr). Mean scores (SDs) for the Restraint, Eating Concern, Weight Concern and Shape Concern subscales for the total sample (n = 5,255) were, respectively, 1.30 (1.40), 0.76 (1.06), 1.79 (1.51) and 2.23 (1.65). The mean global score was 1.52 (1.25). The regular occurrence of objective and subjective overeating episodes was reported by 10.6% and 12.7% of participants, respectively. The regular use of self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, and use of diuretics, was reported by 1.4%, 1.0%, and 0.3%, of participants, respectively, while 2.2% of participants reported regularly using diet pills. "Extreme dietary restraint" and "excessive exercise" were reported by 3.4% and 4.9% of participants, respectively. Both attitudinal and behavioural features of eating disorder psychopathology tended to decrease with increasing age. These data will inform researchers intending to use the EDE-Q in epidemiological studies.
Mond
J M
JM
Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND 58103, USA. jmond@nrifargo.com
Hay
P J
PJ
Rodgers
B
B
Owen
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001290:Attitude; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*