Psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 in Spanish schoolchildren.

INTRODUCTION: Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours (DEABs) can impact both the mental and physical health of children. Early detection is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used, cost-effective tool for assessing DEABs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 by analysing its factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance across sexes in Spanish schoolchildren. METHOD: Validation study in a sample of 718 schoolchildren. The sample was randomly divided into 2 groups, each with 359 participants, and we carried out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the instrument. Subsequently, we assessed the internal consistency by means of the ordinal alpha, the convergent validity with the SCOFF questionnaire and the measurement invariance across the sexes. RESULTS: The results of the EFA and CFA supported a multidimensional structure of the EAT comprising 6 factors and 21 items. These factors underlie a second-order model of DEABs. The internal consistency was adequate for most factors. The SCOFF questionnaire showed a moderate convergent validity for most of the EAT-21 factors. We found measurement invariance across the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The abbreviated EAT-21 scale exhibited modest and promising psychometric properties, making it a suitable instrument for assessing DEABs in both sexes in educational settings.

Propiedades psicométricas del Eating Attitudes Test-26 en escolares españoles / Psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 in Spanish schoolchildren

Introducción: Las Actitudes y los Comportamientos Alimentarios Desordenados (DEAB, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden afectar tanto a la salud mental como física en los niños/as. Su detección temprana es crucial para prevenir complicaciones y mejorar las posibilidades de recuperación. El Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) es una herramienta ampliamente utilizada para evaluar las DEAB debido a su costo/efectividad.ObjetivoEvaluar las propiedades psicométricas del EAT-26, analizando la estructura factorial, la consistencia interna, la validez convergente e invarianza de medida entre ambos sexos en escolares españoles.MétodoEstudio instrumental con una muestra de 718 escolares. La muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en 2 grupos, cada uno con 359 participantes, realizando un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) y un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). Posteriormente, se estimó la consistencia interna con el alfa ordinal, la validez convergente con el cuestionario SCOFF y la invarianza de medida entre ambos sexos.ResultadosLos hallazgos del AFE y AFC respaldaron una estructura multidimensional del EAT, compuesta por 6 factores y 21 ítems. Estos factores subyacen en un modelo de segundo orden de las DEAB. La consistencia interna fue suficiente para la mayoría de los factores. Se mostró una validez convergente moderada con el cuestionario SCOFF para la mayoría de los factores. Se alcanzó una invarianza estricta entre ambos sexos. (AU)

Introduction: Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours (DEABs) can impact both the mental and physical health of children. Early detection is crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used, cost-effective tool for assessing DEABs.ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 by analysing its factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance across sexes in Spanish schoolchildren.MethodValidation study in a sample of 718 schoolchildren. The sample was randomly divided into two groups, each with 359 participants, and we carried out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the instrument. Subsequently, for the total sample, we assessed the internal consistency by means of the ordinal alpha, the convergent validity with the SCOFF questionnaire and the measurement invariance between the sexes.ResultsThe results of the EFA and CFA supported a multidimensional structure of the EAT comprising six factors and 21 items. These factors underlie a second-order model of DEABs. The internal consistency was adequate for most factors. The SCOFF questionnaire showed a moderate convergent validity for most factors. We found strict invariance across the sexes. (AU)

A descriptive cross-sectional study on eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors among adolescents in the Valencian community (Spain). The pivotal role of school nurses.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were: 1) to describe the rates of risk of having an Eating Disorder (ED) and the rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and 2) to examine the relationship between the risk of having an ED with suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents enrolled in educational centers in the Community of Valencia (Spain). DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 718 adolescents between September 2019 and July 2020 in five schools in the Community of Valencia (Spain). RESULTS: The adolescents studied, mostly females, are at risk of having an ED (18.6% to 30.8%) and experiencing suicidal thoughts (23% to 30.7%) and behaviors (2.2% to 6.2%). A strong association was found between EDs and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in both sexes. This association was higher in females with positive EAT-26 scores (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.35-3.24) and in males with positive SCOFF scores (OR: 4.66; 95% CI: 2.40-9.02). Suicidal behaviors were positively associated with both EAT-26 (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.17-5.67) and SCOFF (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.21-2.26) scores in females. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of adolescents, females in particular, are at risk of having an ED and of experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, establishing a strong link between EDs and suicidal tendencies. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study highlights the importance of establishing national and regional regulations to ensure the availability of school nurses in the Community of Valencia (Spain). Collaboration between school nurses, educators, and policy makers is critical to the early detection of problems and the provision of support to both adolescents and families.

Propuesta de alfabetización en salud a través de competencias en la educación obligatoria / Proposal of Health literacy through competencies in Compulsory Education

Introducción: Las competencias en salud que deben adquirir los alumnos en su paso obligatorio por la escuela están por precisar y definir. Objetivo: Definir qué competencias en salud deben adquirir los ciudadanos en la escuela y comprobar hasta qué punto las propuestas curriculares ministeriales las tienen en cuenta. Métodos: Para conseguir el primer objetivo se ha llevado a cabo un estudio cualitativo en tres fases: 1) identificación de los problemas/situaciones de salud que debe conocer el alumnado y propuesta de desarrollo de competencias, 2) estudio Delphi para consensuar la propuesta de competencias para cada problema/situación de salud y 3) reunión de expertos para consensuar los resultados obtenidos por el método Delphi. Para el segundo objetivo se ha realizado un análisis del contenido del currículo de la educación obligatoria. Resultados: Se establecieron 8 ámbitos de salud a tratar en la escuela: adicciones, alimentación y actividad física, sexualidad, salud mental y emocional, medio ambiente, accidentes, higiene y promoción de la salud, y los problemas relacionados con cada uno de ellos. Se definió la competencia en salud y las subcompetencias para cada ámbito. Asimismo, se concretaron los contenidos de aprendizaje necesarios para desarrollar cada competencia. En el análisis curricular se detectaron carencias en las propuestas ministeriales. Conclusiones: Resulta necesario ofrecer una propuesta de competencias en salud a desarrollar durante la educación obligatoria, como la presentada, desglosada en lo que el alumnado debe saber, saber hacer y saber ser y estar, que sirva de referencia a los educadores en su toma de decisiones para planificar la enseñanza y elegir actividades aplicables en situaciones y contextos diversos(AU)

Introduction: Health competencies to be acquired by the students through Compulsory Education are yet to be defined. Objective: To define the health competencies that citizens must acquire at school and check to what extent ministerial curricular proposals take them into account. Methods: To accomplish the first objective, a qualitative study in three phases has been carried out: 1) Identification of health problems/situations that should be known by the students and a proposal for the development of competencies; 2) Delphi study to reach consensus in relation to the proposals of competencies for each health problem/situation; and 3) a meeting of experts to establish agreements on the results obtained by the Delphi method. For the second objective, an analysis of the contents of the curriculum of compulsory education is made. Results: Eight areas of Health to be addressed in school were defined: Addictions, Food and Physical Activity, Sexuality, Mental and Emotional Health, Environment, Accidents, Hygiene and Health Promotion, and the problems related to each one. Health Competency was defined and the Sub-competencies for each area. The necessary learning contents to develop each competency were specified; and deficiencies were detected in the ministerial proposals of the curriculum. Conclusions: It is necessary to offer a proposal of health competencies to be developed during Compulsory Education, as presented in this paper -considering what students must know, know how to do and know how to be-, that serves as a reference for educators in decision making to plan teaching and choose activities that can be applicable in diverse situations and contexts(AU)