Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026
04:19
A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
4.4K
Gender-based differential item functioning in measures of eating pathology
Lauren M Schaefer1, Lisa M Anderson2, Melissa Simone2
1Sanford Research, Center for Biobehavioral Research, Fargo, North Dakota.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|June 25, 2019
Summary
Common eating disorder (ED) symptom measures are valid for both men and women. This study found no significant gender differences in how men and women respond to these ED questionnaires.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Eating disorder (ED) symptoms affect men, yet are often perceived as female disorders.
- Existing ED self-report measures were primarily developed and validated in women, necessitating evaluation for male use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of commonly used ED symptom measures in undergraduate men.
- To determine if item endorsement differs by gender using differential item functioning (DIF) analyses.
Main Methods:
- Undergraduate men (n=1,083) and women (n=2,424) completed the EAT-26, EDEQ, and EDDS.
- Differential item functioning (DIF) analyses were used to compare item endorsement across genders.
- Clinical significance for DIF was defined as ΔR² ≥ 0.13.
Main Results:
- No clinically significant DIF was found for any items on the EAT-26, EDEQ, or EDDS.
- The examined ED symptom measures performed similarly for undergraduate men and women.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the use of the EAT-26, EDEQ, and EDDS in nonclinical male samples.
- Further research is encouraged to develop and test measures for ED symptoms more prevalent in males, such as muscularity-oriented behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
439
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
439
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
272
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
272
02:45Functional Groups
87.9K
Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...
87.9K
00:57Cellular Differentiation
5.1K
How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...
A zygote is a...
5.1K
01:12Differential Leveling
666
Differential leveling is a precise method in surveying used to determine the elevation difference between two points. Its primary goal is to establish accurate vertical measurements to create level surfaces or grade lines critical for designing and constructing infrastructures such as roads, bridges, and buildings.The procedure for differential leveling begins with setting up and leveling the instrument at a point where the benchmark can be seen. The level rod is held on the benchmark (BM), and...
666
01:25Implicit Differentiation
46
In classical mechanics, motion is often described through relationships between spatial coordinates and time. A car moving along a straight highway with constant acceleration serves as a simple case where velocity is an explicit function of time. This scenario results in a linear equation, enabling straightforward analysis using basic differentiation techniques.In contrast, a satellite in circular orbit follows a path defined by an implicit function. The position of the satellite is constrained...
46