title: Development and validity of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS).
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale to measure disordered eating attitudes, defined as abnormal beliefs, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationship regarding food. Exploratory factor analysis was performed and internal consistency assessed in a sample of female university students (N=196). Convergent validity was acceptable based on statistically significant correlations with the Eating Attitude Test-26 and Restraint Scale. Known-groups validity was determined by comparing the student sample's mean scores against scores of an eating disorder group (N=51). The Disordered Eating Attitude Scale comprises 25 questions and five subscales explaining 54.3% of total variance. The total scores differentiated student, bulimia, and anorexia groups. The scale should prove useful for evaluating eating attitudes in various population groups and eating disordered patients.
authors.affiliation: Public Health School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715 São Paulo-SP, 01246-904 Brazil. marlealvarenga@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marle dos Santos
authors.initials: Mdos S
authors.lastname: Alvarenga
authors.forename: Fernanda Baeza
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Scagliusi
authors.forename: Sonia Tucunduva
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Philippi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014175:Translating; D055815:Young Adult