Validity and reliability of a Fijian translation and adaptation of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of disordered eating has uncertain validity across culturally diverse populations. This study evaluated Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) performance in an ethnic Fijian study population.


METHODS
The EDE-Q was translated, adapted, and administered to school-going Fijian adolescent females (N = 523). A subsample (n = 81) completed it again within approximately 1 week. We assessed feasibility, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability; evaluated construct validity through factor analysis and correlation with similar constructs; and examined the marginal utility of an additional question on traditional purgative use.


RESULTS
Internal consistency reliability was adequate for the global scale and subscales (Cronbach's alpha = 0.66-0.91); retest reliability was adequate for both the languages (range of ICCs, 0.50-0.79, and of kappas, 0.46-0.81, excluding purging items). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with measures of similar constructs. Factor analysis confirms multiple dimensions of eating disorder symptoms but suggests possible culture-specific variation in this population. The majority of respondents endorsing traditional purgative use (58%) did not endorse conventional EDE-Q items assessing purging.


CONCLUSIONS
The EDE-Q is a valid measure of eating disorder pathology for ethnic Fijian adolescent females and measures a unitary underlying construct.
Becker
Anne E
AE
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. anne_becker@hms.harvard.edu
Thomas
Jennifer J
JJ
Bainivualiku
Asenaca
A
Richards
Lauren
L
Navara
Kesaia
K
Roberts
Andrea L
AL
Gilman
Stephen E
SE
Striegel-Moore
Ruth H
RH
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014175:Translating; D055815:Young Adult