Eating behaviors in a male and female community sample: psychometric properties of the DEBQ

The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) in a community sample of Chilean adults. The sample comprised 627 participants who completed a battery of questionnaires. The mean age of the sample was 36.07 years (SD = 12.49), and 66.2% of them were women. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.61 kg/m(2) (SD = 4.20). Item analysis suggested that one item yielded very low corrected item-total correlation. The internal structure analysis revealed that the three-factor model showed a good fit. Internal structure was adequate. A gender effect was found in DEBQ scores, and there was a positive significant association between BMI and DEBQ scores. The correlation analysis supported the adequate convergent validity of the scale. The present study provides evidence to support the adequate reliability and validity of the DEBQ when applied in a Chilean population.