Validity and reliability of a Fijian translation and adaptation of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective:Assessment of disordered eating has uncertain validity across culturally diverse populations. This study evaluated Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) performance in an ethnic Fijian study population.Method:The EDE-Q was translated, adapted, and administered to school-going Fijian adolescent females (N = 523). A subsample (n = 81) completed it again within ∼1 week. We assessed feasibility, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability; evaluated construct validity through factor analysis and correlation with similar constructs; and examined the marginal utility of an additional question on traditional purgative use.Results:Internal consistency reliability was adequate for the global scale and subscales (Cronbach's alpha = 0.66–0.91); retest reliability was adequate for both the languages (range of ICCs, 0.50–0.79, and of kappas, 0.46–0.81, excluding purging items). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with measures of similar constructs. Factor analysis confirms multiple dimensions of eating disorder symptoms but suggests possible culture-specific variation in this population. The majority of respondents endorsing traditional purgative use (58%) did not endorse conventional EDE-Q items assessing purging.Discussion:The EDE-Q is a valid measure of eating disorder pathology for ethnic Fijian adolescent females and measures a unitary underlying construct. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2010

The validity and clinical utility of purging disorder

“…In addition to these recognizable features as potential consequences of globalization, Becker et al recently found that 35% of Fijian school girls ages 15 to 20 years endorsed traditional herbal purgative use. 56 Follow-up analyses indicated that traditional herbal purgative use was associated with significantly elevated impairment and distress in these girls, 57 supporting the value of culture-specific assessments to enhance detection of eating disorder symptoms in non-Western contexts. 56 However, Becker 54 cautioned that syndromes identified within a Western context may not be represented in a comparable indigenous illness category.…”

“…56 Follow-up analyses indicated that traditional herbal purgative use was associated with significantly elevated impairment and distress in these girls, 57 supporting the value of culture-specific assessments to enhance detection of eating disorder symptoms in non-Western contexts. 56 However, Becker 54 cautioned that syndromes identified within a Western context may not be represented in a comparable indigenous illness category. In particular, although Fijian girls endorse using herbal purgatives to compensate for feasts that do not involve consumption of more food than most people eat in that context, this behavior is not always associated with distress and has not been identified as an ''emic'' (from within the local group) disorder.…”

“…54 Thus, care is required to ensure that definitions created in a Western context do not inadvertently pathologize local practices that may be normative and culturally sanctioned within non-Western settings. 56 …”

Validade relativa de indicadores de práticas alimentares da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar entre adolescentes do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

“…Em âmbito internacional, os estudos de validação dos instrumentos utilizados pelos sistemas de vigilância dirigidos a adolescentes englobam módulos específicos como transtornos alimentares 12 , atividade física 13,14,15 e práticas alimentares 16,17,18 .…”

Reliability and Validity of a Questionnaire to Assess Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson's Disease Cases

“…Many validated English-language questionnaires have been successfully translated into the vernacular, with the obvious intent of including the maximum number of patients. 9,10 Hence, our 11-question set was translated into Malayalam, the language spoken by the people of the state of Kerala, where our institution is situated. We already have experience with a validated Malayalam voice handicap index 30, which is one of the standard questionnaires used in voice disorders.…”