Overeating for non-homeostatic needs contributes to childhood obesity. However, validated measures or eating motives and cross-cultural comparisons are limited. This study aimed to validate the Kids-Palatable Eating Motives Scale (K-PEMS) and its association with body mass index z score (BMIz) in China, and further assess its generalization across Chinese and American youth. Data were from participants aged 8-18 years from Hangzhou, China (n = 426) and Birmingham, AL, U.S (n = 73). The K-PEMS had sound reliability and validation (Cronbach's alpha = 0.920 and all factor loadings >0.50) in the Chinese sample. Multi-group nested models CFAs showed that the increment CFI of model comparisons of measurement weights and structural covariance, variance, and means were <= 0.01, and increment TLI of measurement intercepts <= 0.05. Linear regressions revealed that frequency of consuming palatable foods and drinks for Coping, Reward Enhancement, and Conformity, but not Social motives, were positively associated with BMIz. The K-PEMS had good cross-cultural generalization and could be useful in treating obesity by identifying specific motives for consuming excessive calories.
