Structure analysis of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test in overweight and at-risk for overweight children and adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundIn school-based samples of children, the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) has a four-factor structure; however, previous studies have not examined its factor structure in samples restricted to overweight youth. MethodsThe ChEAT was administered to 220 overweight (BMI≥95th percentile) and 45 at-risk for overweight (BMI 85th–<95th percentile) children and adolescents. Factors were identified by a principal component analysis with varimax rotation. ChEAT factor scores of children with BMI≥85th percentile were contrasted with those of 152 non-overweight (BMI 5th to <85th percentile) children and adolescents. ResultsFactor analysis generated four subscales described as ‘body/weight concern,’ ‘food preoccupation,’ ‘dieting,’ and ‘eating concern.’ ChEAT total score, body/weight concern, and dieting subscale scores were positively related to BMI-Z and body fat mass (p's<.05). Compared to non-overweight children, overweight and at-risk for overweight children had higher ChEAT total (9.9±7.4 vs. 6.6±7.8, p<.001), body/weight concern (3.2±3.1 vs. 1.3±3.0, p<.001), and dieting (1.8±2.2 vs. .8±2.3, p<.001) subscale scores. ConclusionsThe previously elucidated factor structure of the ChEAT was primarily supported in a sample of overweight children. The emergence of separate body/weight concern and dieting subscales may relate to these children's experiences with attempted weight reduction.