ABSTRACT
Objective
This study aimed to assess the structural validity and readability of a brief 7-item version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (the EDE-Q7) among adolescents.
Method
Latent variable analysis was used in a sample of 263 adolescents (age range = 13–17.99y) diagnosed with an eating disorder and recruited from treatment centres in the United States of America and Australia. Several indices were used to provide different estimates of overall model fit.
Results
The EDE-Q7 showed good fit to the data, although absolute fit indices suggested some evidence of imperfect fit. Several other models (both brief and full-item versions) failed to meet most criteria indicating good fit. The subscales of the EDE-Q7 showed significant correlations with several disordered eating behaviors, suggesting convergent validity. Review of the EDE-Q7 suggests ease of readability for adolescents from at least 11 years of age.
Discussion
This is one of the first clinical studies to support the EDE-Q7 as a brief, valid assessment of eating psychopathology that can be used with adolescents as well as adults. The results indicate that the EDE-Q7 might be appropriate for assessing eating pathology among adolescents from the age of 13 years.