Psychometric Properties of Spanish Version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (Tfeq-Sp) and Its Relationship with Some Eating- and Body Image-Related Variables

Abstract

The aims of this study were to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-SP), as well as determine its validity by evaluating the relationship of the TFEQ-SP with different parameters related to body mass index, weight perception, perception of physical fitness, self-esteem, and food intake, as well as with weight control-related variables. A total of 281 participants (aged 18.38 ± 6.31) were studied. The factor analysis yielded three factors: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE). The internal consistency of the TFEQ-SP was determined by means of Cronbach’s α coefficient, with values ranging between 0.75 and 0.87. Higher scores on CR were found in women (p < 0.5), overweight/obese participants (p < 0.001), participants with lower self-esteem (p < 0.05), participants who overestimated their weight (p < 0.001), participants who weighed themselves frequently (p < 0.001) and those who were about to go on a diet (p < 0.001). Higher EE scores were found in participants with lower self-esteem scores (p < 0.05), among participants with a poorer perception of their physical fitness (p < 0.01) and when participants were about to diet (p < 0.05). Higher scores on UE were observed in case of poorer perception of physical fitness (p < 0.05). The validation study of the TFEQ-SP meets the requirements for measuring the three different facets of eating behavior: CR, UE, and EE.

The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 Polish version: factor structure analysis among normal weight and obese adult women

“…The concept of cognitive restraint has been mostly explored in the context of obesity [11,12]. Existing research provides evidence that cognitive restraint is greater among overweight and obese individuals compared to underweight and normal weight individuals [4,16]. Overall, the higher the body mass index (BMI) and body fat mass, the stronger the tendency towards these restrictions [16].…”

“…Moreover, the disinhibition related to eating is associated with BMI [18]. However, two studies reported no difference in uncontrolled eating between people with abnormal body weight (underweight, overweight and obesity) and normal weight [4,16].…”

“…Similarly, more recent research suggests that the tendency towards emotional eating mediates the relationship between BMI and episodes of binge eating [26]. People with obesity have the highest intensity of emotional eating compared with people who are underweight, overweight and of normal weight [4]; however, there are also studies that do not support this conclusion [16]. Recent research shows that gender, age and education are related to emotional and uncontrolled eating as well as cognitive restraint [18].…”

“…Recent research shows that gender, age and education are related to emotional and uncontrolled eating as well as cognitive restraint [18]. In addition, both body image and nutritional characteristics can be dissimilar in people with normal body weight and obesity [16,18,27]. Individuals with normal weight are more satisfied with their body and have a healthier diet compared with those with obesity [3,6,16,18,27].…”

Beliefs about obesity and their relationship with dietary restraint and body image perception

“…To measure dietary restraint the cognitive restraint of eating subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ) was used (English version: Stunkard & Messick, 1985; Spanish version: Jauregui-Lobera, Garcia-Cruz, Carbonero-Carreño, Magallares, & Ruiz-Prieto, 2014). This subscale comprises of 6 items on a 4-point response scale (definitely true -1-, mostly true -2-, mostly false -3-, definitely false -4-).…”