Validation of the eating disorder diagnostic scale for use with Hong Kong adolescents.

Objective: We examined the psychometric properties of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) in a community sample of Hong Kong school children.

Method: Participants (359 boys and 387 girls), aged 12 to 19 years, were assessed on the EDDS on two occasions, one month apart. Factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity against the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) were investigated.

Results: Four groupings emerged on exploratory factor analysis: body dissatisfaction, bingeing behaviors, bingeing frequency, and frequency of compensatory behaviors. Items loaded on the same factors for boys and girls. Internal consistency for these factors was acceptable. Test-retest reliability was high for body dissatisfaction factor but weak to moderate for other factors and for diagnoses. High concurrent validity with the EDE-Q, and correlation with the CES-D was shown.

Conclusion: We offer preliminary reliability and validity evidence to support the further development of the EDDS as a screening instrument to assess eating disturbances in Hong Kong youth.