The study conducted by Dr. Tabbetha Lopez, our Registered Dietitian at Flourish, was recently published in the Nutrition Journal. Addresses the pressing issue of disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction among Hispanic adolescents. Recognizing the lack of validated assessment tools specifically for this demographic, the authors sought to modify the existing Kids Eating Disorder Survey (KEDS) better to fit the cultural and contextual needs of Hispanic youths.
Disordered eating behaviors, such as binge eating and purging, are prevalent among adolescents and can lead to severe health issues, including depression and substance abuse. The study highlights that Hispanic adolescents are particularly at risk, yet existing tools like the KEDS were originally validated primarily on White populations, making them less effective for Hispanic youths.
The researchers utilized Confirmatory Factor Analysis to validate the KEDS among a sample of 690 Hispanic adolescents, averaging 12 years old. Their findings suggested that the original KEDS model was unsuitable. Therefore, modifications resulted in a two-factor model, termed M-KEDS, comprising the Negative Weight Attitudes and Extreme Weight Control Behaviors subscales. The revised M-KEDS demonstrated good internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.77) and acceptable fit indices, indicating its efficacy as a screening tool.
The study also points out the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction among Hispanic adolescents, which correlates with disordered eating behaviors. The M-KEDS aims to provide a culturally relevant and psychometrically sound instrument for assessing these issues, thus contributing to early detection and prevention strategies in clinical and school settings.
In conclusion, the M-KEDS represents a significant advancement in the assessment of disordered eating behaviors among Hispanic adolescents, filling a critical gap in the literature and offering a pathway for improved clinical interventions and further research in this high-risk population.
