Development and Validation of an Eating-Related Eco-Concern Questionnaire

oleh: Baiyu Qi, Emily K. Presseller, Gabrielle E. Cooper, Avantika Kapadia, Alexis S. Dumain, Shantal M. Jayawickreme, Emily C. Bulik-Sullivan, Eric F. van Furth, Laura M. Thornton, Cynthia M. Bulik, Melissa A. Munn-Chernoff

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-10-01

Deskripsi

Eco-concern, the distress experienced relating to climate change, is associated with mental health, yet no study has examined disordered eating related to eco-concern. This study developed and validated a 10-item scale assessing Eating-Related Eco-Concern (EREC). Participants (<i>n</i> = 224) completed the EREC, Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS), and Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Construct validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency were evaluated. Sex differences in EREC were evaluated using <i>t</i>-tests. Associations among the EREC, CCWS, and EDE-Q were evaluated using linear regression models. Sensitivity analyses were conducted in individuals below EDE-Q global score clinical cut-offs. Factor analysis suggested that all items loaded adequately onto one factor. Pearson’s correlation and Bland–Altman analyses suggested strong correlation and acceptable agreement between the EREC and CCWS (<i>r</i> = 0.57), but weak correlation and low agreement with the EDE-Q global score (<i>r</i> = 0.14). The EREC had acceptable internal consistency (<i>α</i> = 0.88). No sex difference was observed in the EREC in the full sample; females had a significantly higher mean score than males in sensitivity analysis. The EREC was significantly positively associated with the CCWS and EDE-Q global and shape concern scores, but not in sensitivity analysis. The EREC is a brief, validated scale that can be useful to screen for eating-related eco-concern.