Validity of the night eating questionnaire in children

Abstract

To measure the construct validity of the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ) in children against a parent report of child night eating syndrome (NES) symptoms (NEQ report) and a 3-day dietary recall. NEQ of 304 children from the QUALITY (QUébec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth) cohort were compared to a parent report and 3-day dietary recall. Child NEQ scores were related to the parent NEQ report (ρ = 0.30 p < 0.0001) yet there were inconsistencies between responses concerning sleep troubles. Total child NEQ scores, but not parent NEQ report scores, were associated with dietary manifestations of NES such as increased evening (ρ = 0.20, p < .001) and reduced morning intake (ρ= -0.12, p < .05). The NEQ score is related to eating patterns of NES in children and is more informative than a parent report, specifically when used in conjunction with dietary recall.