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Development and preliminary validation of the cognitive behavioral dieting scale
Author(s) -
Martz Denise M.,
Sturgis Ellie T.,
Gustafson Sigrid B.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199604)19:3<297::aid-eat9>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - dieting , psychology , construct validity , scale (ratio) , body mass index , cognition , clinical psychology , calorie , developmental psychology , psychometrics , weight loss , obesity , medicine , psychiatry , endocrinology , physics , quantum mechanics
Objective The purpose of this research was to empirically develop the Cognitive Behavioral Dieting Scale (CBDS), a measure of current dieting. Method: The first study involved item generation and a procedure to boost internal consistency while reducing scale length. Study 2 involved a factor analysis and measures of scale reliability. The third study evaluated the ability of the CBDS to predict calorie intake and negative calorie balance from a 24‐hr diet recall. Study 4 evaluated construct validity by comparing the CBDS to dietary restraint, body image, and health behavior self‐efficacy. Results: The CBDS is a 14‐item scale which measures current dieting behavior and related thoughts within the past 2 weeks. Internal consistency was α = .95 and 2‐day test‐retest reliability was r = .95. This scale provides a method for operationalizing dieting, provides a construct that is different from restraint, and assess dieting behavior on a continuum. Additionally, this scale was able to predict calorie intake and negative calorie balance above and beyond the predictive ability of physical variables (i.e., body mass index [BMI] and exercise calories). An additional study of construct validity showed the CBDS was related to poor body image esteem and dietary restraint, but minimally related to healthy eating self‐efficacy. Discussion: In conclusion, the CBDS shows promise as a valid and reliable measure of dieting behavior. This scale should have utility in future research on how current dieting relates to eating disorders, dietary restraint, and obesity. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.