Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version of the Eating Attitudes Test in University Students.
Manuela de Mendonça Figueirêdo Coelho, Tifanny Horta Castro, Beatriz Alves de Oliveira, Jamylle Lucas Diniz, Mariana Cavalcante Martins, Janaína Fonseca Victor Coutinho, Fabiane do Amaral Gubert, Mônica Oliveira Batista Oriá
Abstract
Open AccessOBJECTIVES: to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Eating Attitudes Test among university students and to analyze potential differences between sexes. METHODS: a methodological, quantitative study was conducted with 5,292 students. Data were collected through an online questionnaire comprising 26 Likert-scale items, including sociodemographic, academic, and health-related questions. The psychometric properties assessed included factorial validity, internal consistency, psychometric sensitivity, and structural equivalence between groups. RESULTS: confirmatory factor analysis supported the multidimensional structure of the instrument, with satisfactory fit indices. The chi-square statistic was 14,447.944 with 296 degrees of freedom (p < 0.001), chi-square/df ratio of 48.81, comparative fit index of 0.843, Tucker-Lewis index of 0.828, root mean square error of approximation of 0.095, and standardized root mean square residual of 0.125. Structural equivalence was observed between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: the instrument demonstrated robust factorial validity for use among Brazilian university students.