Development and validation of the Eating Behavior Inventory

Abstract

The Eating Behavior Inventory (EBI) is a self-report instrument for assessing behaviors that have been theoretically implicated in weight loss, e.g., selfmonitoring of food intake and of weight, refusing offers of food, eating at only one place, shopping from a list, eating in response to emotions. Thirty items were constructed in the form of first-person statements, e.g., "1eat in the middle of the night. "Each item was to be rated with a 5-point scale according to how often it was true for the respondent. 1terns were scored such that higher scores always reflected more "appropriate" (theoretically facilitative of weight control) eating patterns. Validity of individual items and total score was assessed in four studies. Twenty-six of the original items appeared valid and were retained. The resulting total score demonstrated validity in these studies and in two crossvalidational comparisons. Internal consistency as measured by split-half reliability and correlations of item scores with total score was acceptable. One month test-retest reliability of item and total scores was satisfactory. Clinical and research applications of the EBl are discussed. 123 0 1 6 4 -0 3 0 5 / 7 9 / 0 6 0 0 -0 1 2 3 5 0 3 . 0 0 / 0 © 1979 Plenum Publishing Corporation

Long-term Evaluation of Multi-disciplinary Treatment of Morbid Obesity in Low-income Minority Adolescents: La Rabida Children’s Hospital’s FitMatters Program

“…These included behavioral and emotional stability of the child (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/Youth Self-Report (YSR) [20]) and degree of perceived conflict in the family (Conflict Behavior Questionnaire [21]). Pretreatment weight control and health behaviors were assessed, including current weight control habits (Weight Control Habits Survey) [22,23]; ratings of exercise levels in the week before assessment (Current Exercise Survey) [24]; eating behaviors (Eating Self-Efficacy Scale [25] and the Binge Eating Scale [26]); and ratings by the children of their readiness to participate and the importance of losing weight. In addition, several demographic factors were investigated as potential mediators/correlates of success, including socioeconomic status (measured by public assistance vs. private insurance and the Hollingshead Index of socioeconomic status [27]), age, ethnicity, initial BMI, and a measure of intellectual functioning (KBIT [28]).…”

The Impact of a Shipboard Weight Control Program

“…Selfesteem was characterized by The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (22). The Binge Eating Scale (23) measured binge eating symptoms, and The Eating Behavior Inventory (24) assessed the use of behavioral modification techniques conducive to weight loss. The Eating Self-Efficacy Scale (25) measured difficulty in controlling overeating.…”

The Efficacy of Dietary Fat Vs. Total Energy Restriction for Weight Loss

“…Physical activity, as calories expended, was assessed with the Paffenbarger Physical Activity questionnaire (14). Eating behavior change was measured by the Eating Behavior Inventory (EBI) (15) (13). This instrument consists of six a priori scales designed to assess experiences expected to promote or discourage maintenance of a diet.…”