Social class as a confounding variable in the Eating Attitudes Test.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychological assessment
• Eating disorders

Background:

• The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) is a widely used screening tool for anorexia nervosa.
• Previous research has not extensively explored the influence of socioeconomic factors on EAT responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between social class and responses on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) in a large sample of English schoolgirls.
• To identify potential biases in EAT administration and interpretation related to socioeconomic background.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from over 3000 English schoolgirls across state and private educational settings.
• Comparison of mean EAT scores between state and private school populations.
• Correlation of EAT results with diagnoses determined through individual interviews.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher mean EAT scores were observed in girls attending state schools compared to those in private schools.
• Despite lower EAT scores, private schools exhibited a higher prevalence of anorexia nervosa cases identified via interviews.
• Systematic differences in question responses between school types suggest response bias influenced EAT scores.

Conclusions:

• Social class significantly impacts responses to the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), potentially confounding its use in anorexia nervosa screening.
• The findings highlight the need to consider socioeconomic context and response styles when interpreting EAT results.
• Further research is warranted to refine the EAT or develop culturally sensitive assessment methods for diverse populations.