The Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) Questionnaire: development and validation

To develop and validate the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) Questionnaire that was created to measure how one uses food to cope with stress and emotions.

Data were collected from a cross-sectional study using the EADES Questionnaire.

Convenience sample (response rate 22%) from a southeastern public university, including staff and faculty (n=854) with ages ranging from 18 to 83 years and a mean body mass index of 27.3+/-6.4.

Exploratory factor analysis was completed on 54 items that were originally meant to describe constructs from the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Reliability of scales was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. Total sum scores were given to each factor. Pearson correlation coefficients assessed linear associations between factors.

Three factors accounting for 43.5% of the variance were retained with a total Cronbach's alpha=.949. The factors did not represent the theoretical constructs from the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping as anticipated. A new model was created, including Emotion- and Stress-Related Eating, Appraisal of Resources and Ability to Cope, Appraisal of Outside Stressors and Influences with Cronbach's alpha being .949, .869, and .652, respectively. These factors were significantly correlated with one another.

The EADES model provides a viable conceptual model to help explain variables that may contribute to overeating, whereas the EADES Questionnaire provides a measurement tool for evaluating these variables that have not traditionally been explored in weight management efforts.