The psychometric properties of the Eating Attitude Test in a non-Western population.

The psychometric features of the Eating Attitude Test Questionnaire (EAT) are described in an Egyptian population of secondary school girls (n = 351). Confirmatory factor analysis, modelled on studies by Garner et al. (1982) and Eisler and Szmukler (1985), was conducted and pointed to the overall coherence of the EAT in this population. The assessment of the internal validity of each factor, however, showed a high level of consistency amongst the items representing the dieting factor, and a much lower level for those representing the bulimia factor. The results could justify the continued use of the EAT as a valid screening instrument for some aspects of eating morbidity, i.e. dieting and concern about weight and shape in non-Western populations. The analysis clearly suggested that another scale is required for bulimic behaviours.