Structure analysis of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test in overweight and at-risk for overweight children and adolescents.

Background: In school-based samples of children, the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) has a four-factor structure; however, previous studies have not examined its factor structure in samples restricted to overweight youth.

Methods: The ChEAT was administered to 220 overweight (BMI>or=95th percentile) and 45 at-risk for overweight (BMI 85th-<95th percentile) children and adolescents. Factors were identified by a principal component analysis with varimax rotation. ChEAT factor scores of children with BMI>or=85th percentile were contrasted with those of 152 non-overweight (BMI 5th to <85th percentile) children and adolescents.

Results: Factor analysis generated four subscales described as 'body/weight concern,' 'food preoccupation,' 'dieting,' and 'eating concern.' ChEAT total score, body/weight concern, and dieting subscale scores were positively related to BMI-Z and body fat mass (p's<.05). Compared to non-overweight children, overweight and at-risk for overweight children had higher ChEAT total (9.9+/-7.4 vs. 6.6+/-7.8, p<.001), body/weight concern (3.2+/-3.1 vs. 1.3+/-3.0, p<.001), and dieting (1.8+/-2.2 vs. .8+/-2.3, p<.001) subscale scores.

Conclusions: The previously elucidated factor structure of the ChEAT was primarily supported in a sample of overweight children. The emergence of separate body/weight concern and dieting subscales may relate to these children's experiences with attempted weight reduction.