Assessment of disordered eating in females: instrument validation

The purpose of this study was to validate an instrument capable of assessing 10 dimensions related to disordered eating and weight control behaviors. All subjects were female and ranged in age from 14 to 40. Of these females 68 were bulimics, 12 were compulsive eaters, and 24 eating disorders. The Disordered Eating and Weight Control Instrument (DEWCI) was administered. Differences between the groups were investigated by constructing three dummy variables contrasting the groups, correlating the scales with the dummy variables, and determining which correlations were significant. Eight of the DEWCI scales significantly (p less than .005) differentiated between the three groups. This instrument may therefore have utility for use with female populations.