Confirmatory factor analysis of the Eating Disorder Examination ‐Questionnaire: A comparison of five factor solutions across vegan and omnivore participants

This study compared goodness‐of‐fit of five alternative models of the EDE‐Q in vegans (i.e., individuals refraining from all animal products, n = 318) and omnivores (i.e., individuals not restricting intake of animal products, n = 200). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to compare fit indices of the original four‐factor model of the EDE‐Q, along with alternative three‐, two‐, full one‐, and brief one‐factor models. ResultsNo model provided adequate fit of the data in either sample of respondents. The fit of the brief one‐factor model was the closest to acceptable in omnivores, but did not perform as well in vegans. Indicators of fit were comparable in vegans and omnivores across all other models. DiscussionOur data confirm difficulties in replicating the proposed factor structure of the EDE‐Q, including in vegans. More research is needed to determine the suitability of the EDE‐Q for quantifying eating behaviors, including in those abstaining from animal products.
Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research