Psychometric evaluation of the eating disorder examination-questionnaire for bariatric surgery candidates

Objective: Despite increasing use of the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) in bariatric surgery patients, little is known about the utility and psychometric performance of this self‐report measure in this clinical group. The primary purpose of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure and construct validity of the EDE‐Q in a large series of bariatric surgery candidates. Methods and Procedures: Participants were 337 obese bariatric surgery candidates. Participants completed the EDE‐Q and a battery of behavioral and psychological measures. Results: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) produced a 12‐item, 4‐factor structure of the EDE‐Q. The four factors, interpreted as Dietary Restraint, Eating Disturbance, Appearance Concerns, and Shape/Weight Overvaluation, were found to be internally consistent and converged with other relevant measures of psychopathology. Discussion: Factor analysis of the EDE‐Q in bariatric surgery candidates did not replicate the original subscales but revealed an alternative factor structure. Future research must further evaluate the psychometric properties, including the factor structure, of the EDE‐Q in this and other diverse populations and consider means of improving this measure's ability to best assess eating‐related pathology in bariatric surgery patients.