Development and Validation of the Child Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (CTFEQr17)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Develop and validate a child and adolescent version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (CTFEQr17), and to assess its psychometric properties and factor structure. We also examined associations between the CTFEQr17 and body mass index (BMI) and food preferences. DESIGN: A two-phase approach was utilised, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. SETTING: Primary and secondary schools, UK. SUBJECTS: In phase 1, 76 children (39 boys; mean age: 12.3±1.4 years) were interviewed to ascertain their understanding of the original TFEQr21 and to develop accessible and understandable items to create the CTFEQr17. In phase 2, 433 children (230 boys; mean age: 12.0±1.7 years) completed the CTFEQr17 and a food preference questionnaire, a subsample (n = 253; 131 boys) had their height and weight measured and 45 children (23 boys) were interviewed to determine their understanding of the CTFEQr17. RESULTS: The CTFEQr17 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.85) and the three factor structure was retained: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE) and emotional eating (EE). Qualitative data demonstrated a high level of understanding of the questionnaire (95%). A high CR was found to be significantly associated with a higher body weight, BMI and BMI percentile. High UE and EE scores were related to a preference for high fat savoury and high fat sweet foods. The relationships between CTFEQr17, anthropometry and food preference were stronger in girls compared to boys. CONCLUSIONS: The CTFEQr17 is a psychometrically sound questionnaire for use in children and adolescents, and is associated with anthropometric and food preference measures.