Validación de la Versión Corta de la Escala de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-18) en Población Mexicana.

Objective: to develop and validate an abbreviated version of the EAT. Method: the sample consisted of 678 participants (318 from the control group and 360 from the clinical group). Results: adequate internal consistency of the instrument was observed (α=.89). The exploratory factorial analysis yielded three factors 1) Food restriction 2) Bulimic symptoms 3) Food and weight control. The structure was confirmed with the confirmatory analysis, presenting a good adjustment of the data: 1) significant Chi-square (X2(121)=699.05, p=.001), 2) GFI=.914 3) AGFI=.942 4) CFI=.953 5) RMSEA=.083 6) RMR=.043. The most suitable cut-off point value was 15. The convergent validity of the instrument was evaluated using the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), observing positive and significant correlations. Conclusion: this version of the instrument presents good validity and reliability properties. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]