CHEAT

Overview

The Children’s Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) is a self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate eating-related attitudes and behaviors in children and adolescents. Developed by D. Michael Garner and Paul E. Garfinkel, the ChEAT is a modified version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), specifically adapted for younger populations.

Purpose

The ChEAT aims to:

• Assess disordered eating behaviors in children and adolescents.
• Identify early signs of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
• Aid in the diagnosis and treatment planning for eating disorders in younger populations.

Structure

The ChEAT consists of 26 items, each rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 'Always' to 'Never.' The questionnaire is divided into several subscales, each representing different aspects of eating attitudes and behaviors:

• Dieting: Assesses behaviors and attitudes related to dieting and weight loss.
• Bulimia and Food Preoccupation: Evaluates symptoms of bulimia and an excessive focus on food.
• Oral Control: Measures self-control regarding eating and the influence of others on eating behaviors.

Scoring and Interpretation

Each item is scored from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating more severe disordered eating behaviors. The total ChEAT score is the sum of all item scores, providing an overall measure of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The subscale scores are calculated by summing the responses for the items within each category, allowing for a detailed assessment of specific disordered eating behaviors.

Applications

• Clinical Use: The ChEAT is used by psychologists, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals to assess eating attitudes and behaviors in children and adolescents. It is useful for early detection of eating disorders, guiding treatment plans, and monitoring treatment progress.
• Research Use: The ChEAT is frequently employed in research studies to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of eating disorders in younger populations, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and explore the relationships between eating attitudes and other psychological constructs.

Psychometric Properties

The ChEAT has demonstrated strong psychometric properties:

• Reliability: The ChEAT exhibits high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients typically exceeding 0.80 for the total scale and each of the subscales. Test-retest reliability is also robust, indicating that the ChEAT reliably measures eating attitudes and behaviors over time.
• Validity: The ChEAT has shown excellent construct validity, correlating well with other established measures of eating disorders and related constructs. Concurrent validity is supported by strong correlations with clinical diagnoses of eating disorders, while discriminant validity is evidenced by its ability to differentiate between individuals with and without eating disorders.

Translation and Adaptation

The ChEAT has been translated into multiple languages and adapted for use in diverse cultural contexts. These translations have undergone rigorous validation processes to ensure their accuracy and reliability, making the ChEAT a valuable tool for assessing eating attitudes and behaviors worldwide.

Conclusion

The Children’s Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) is a comprehensive instrument for assessing disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in children and adolescents. Its robust psychometric properties, ease of use, and applicability in both clinical and research settings make it an essential tool for mental health professionals. By providing a detailed assessment of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, the ChEAT contributes significantly to the early detection, diagnosis, and understanding of eating disorders in younger populations.