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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Structural Validity of a Short Form of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire in Adolescents Diagnosed With an
Paul E Jenkins1, Sasha Gorrell2, Erin C Accurso2,3
1School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the structural validity and readability of a brief 7-item version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (the EDE-Q7) among adolescents.
Method:
Latent variable analysis was used in a sample of 263 adolescents (age range = 13-17.99y) diagnosed with an eating disorder and recruited from treatment centres in the United States of America and Australia. Several indices were used to provide different estimates of overall model fit.
Results:
The EDE-Q7 showed good fit to the data, although absolute fit indices suggested some evidence of imperfect fit. Several other models (both brief and full-item versions) failed to meet most criteria indicating good fit. The subscales of the EDE-Q7 showed significant correlations with several disordered eating behaviors, suggesting convergent validity. Review of the EDE-Q7 suggests ease of readability for adolescents from at least 11 years of age.
Discussion:
This is one of the first clinical studies to support the EDE-Q7 as a brief, valid assessment of eating psychopathology that can be used with adolescents as well as adults. The results indicate that the EDE-Q7 might be appropriate for assessing eating pathology among adolescents from the age of 13 years.
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