Development and validation of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale: A brief self-report measure of anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.

TLDR

The study develops and validates a brief self‑report scale for diagnosing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge‑eating disorder. Using an expert panel for content validity and a sample of 367 women, the authors demonstrate temporal reliability (κ ≈ 0.80) and criterion validity (κ ≈ 0.83) for the scale. The scale shows convergent validity, with identified cases scoring higher on eating‑disturbance measures, and exhibits strong test‑retest reliability (r = 0.87), internal consistency (α = 0.89), supporting its clinical and research utility.

Abstract

This article describes the development and validation of a brief self-report scale for diagnosing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Study 1 used a panel of eating-disorder experts and provided evidence for the content validity of this scale. Study 2 used data from female participants with and without eating disorders (N = 367) and suggested that the diagnoses from this scale possessed temporal reliability (mean kappa = .80) and criterion validity (with interview diagnoses; mean kappa = .83). In support of convergent validity, individuals with eating disorders identified by this scale showed elevations on validated measures of eating disturbances. The overall symptom composite also showed test-retest reliability (r = .87), internal consistency (mean alpha = .89), and convergent validity with extant eating-pathology scales. Results implied that this scale was reliable and valid in this investigation and that it may be useful for clinical and research applications.