ERIC Number: EJ792758
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 10
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1055-6699
EISSN: N/A
The Intuitive Eating Scale: Development and Preliminary Validation
Hawks, Steven; Merrill, Ray M.; Madanat, Hala N.
American Journal of Health Education, v35 n2 p90-99 Mar-Apr 2004
This article describes the development and validation of an instrument designed to measure the concept of intuitive eating. To ensure face and content validity for items used in the Likert-type Intuitive Eating Scale (IES), content domain was clearly specified and a panel of experts assessed the validity of each item. Based on responses from 391 university students in the United States, the IES was evaluated for internal consistency and reliability using cross-tabulations, factor analysis, test-retest correlation coefficients, and logistic regression techniques. The factor solution isolated four factors that replicated scale construction, including intrinsic eating, extrinsic eating, antidieting, and self-care with alpha coefficients ranging from 0.42 to 0.93. Retesting after 4 weeks (N = 285) yielded correlation coefficients that ranged between 0.56 and 0.87. The presence of theorized relationships between IES scores and certain demographic and lifestyle variables (obesity, presence of an eating disorder, gender, and restrictive dieting) adds support for concurrent validity. IES subscales also correlated significantly with the Cognitive Behavioral Dieting Scale in predicted directions, suggesting convergent validity. Findings provide tentative support for the use of the IES in identifying intuitive eating attitudes and behaviors among college populations. Implications for practice, theory, and future research are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: College Students, Obesity, Eating Disorders, Content Validity, Test Validity, Measures (Individuals), Factor Analysis, Correlation, Test Construction, Eating Habits, Test Reliability, Gender Differences, Life Style, Dietetics, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification
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Publication Type: Information Analyses; Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A