[Validation of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) as a screening tool in the general population].
OBJECTIVE
To validate the best alternative cut-off point of a Spanish version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) for the screening of eating disorders cases in the general population.


METHODS
The translated questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of 2,734 female students who ranged in age from 13 to 22 years. Participants who scored above 21 points were interviewed, as were a random sample of participants who scored 21 or below. Internal and external validity parameters were estimated for different alternative cut-off scores below the usual EAT score of 30.


RESULTS
The best diagnostic prediction was obtained with a cut-off score of 21 points (sensitivity: 73.3%; specificity: 85.1%). A positive predictive value of 20% and a negative predictive value of 98.4% were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
The best diagnostic prediction in a non-clinical setting is obtained with a cut-off score of 21, below that recommended by the authors of the questionnaire.
de Irala
Jokin
J
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Clínica Universitaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España. jdeirala@unav.es
Cano-Prous
Adrián
A
Lahortiga-Ramos
Francisca
F
Gual-García
Pilar
P
Martínez-González
Miguel A
MA
Cervera-Enguix
Salvador
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001290:Attitude; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires