Development and validity of the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS)

Percept Mot Skills. 2010 Apr;110(2):379-95. doi: 10.2466/PMS.110.2.379-395.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Brazil
  • Bulimia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Bulimia Nervosa / psychology
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Diet, Reducing / psychology
  • Eating*
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / psychology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Translating
  • Young Adult