Toward a Romanian version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 for children and adolescents (CTFEQ-R21): Preliminary psychometric analysis and relation with body composition.

OBJECTIVE: Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Romanian version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 for children and adolescents CTFEQ-R21, and to assess its psychometric properties and factor structure. Associations between the present version of the CTFEQ-R21 and anthropometric measures as well as body composition were also examined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: 153 children and adolescents (68 boys and 95 girls; 10.8±3.5 years) took part in this study (BMI of 17.7±3.1 kg/m²). The participants were first interviewed to ascertain their understanding of the CTFEQ-R21 and were then asked to self-complete the questionnaire. Height and weight were measured and body composition assessed using bio impedance analyzers (Tanita MC 780).

RESULTS: Results: The CTFEQ-R21 showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.78). Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.55 for CR (cognitive restriction), 0.75 for UE (Uncontrolled Eating), and 0.76 for EE (Emotional Eating) separately. UE and EE were found to be significantly correlated (r=0.54, p<0.05). The three factors explained 43% of the total variance. Correlation between CR, UE and EE with body weight, BMI and FFM were significant but low to moderate, with coefficients ranging from 0.20 to 0.37. The higher the CR, UE and EE tertiles, the higher the weight, fat mass (kg) and fat-free mass values.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: According to the psychometric analysis of the questionnaire, the version of the CTFEQ-R21 proposed here is a satisfactory tool to assess eating behaviors in the Romanian child population that remains to be further developed.