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Eating attitudes across age and gender groups: A Canadian study

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Abstract

Objective: The purpose was to examine the eating attitudes across gender and age groups. Method: The study included 343 individuals over 18 years of age (range: 18 to 94 years; mean 48±22), who were divided into 3 age categories: 18 to 34 years, 35 to 64 years and 65 years and above with a distribution of 35% (119), 37% (128) and 28% (97) respectively. The participants completed a background questionnaire and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Results: A total of 30 participants (8.7%) scored above the cut-off point on the EAT-26 which is indicative of potential eating disturbances. Only statistically significant gender differences were observed in the total EAT-26 scores. Factor analysis revealed three subscales of EAT-26, food preoccupation, image preoccupation, and external focus or social pressure, with acceptable level of reliability and these were used for age and gender comparison. Age and gender differences were observed in the food and image preoccupation subscales only. Discussion: Although EAT-26 is widely used in clinical and non-clinical population, age and gender comparisons have not been made in a population-based sample. Use of the subscales of eating attitudes should help health professionals better identify those at risk for eating disturbances and provide the opportunity for intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P2R6, Canada

    C. S. Johnson Ph.D., P.Dt. (Associate Professor) & J. Bedford

  2. Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, ON, Canada

    C. S. Johnson Ph.D., P.Dt. (Associate Professor)

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  1. C. S. Johnson Ph.D., P.Dt.
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  2. J. Bedford
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Correspondence to C. S. Johnson Ph.D., P.Dt..

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Johnson, C.S., Bedford, J. Eating attitudes across age and gender groups: A Canadian study. Eat Weight Disord 9, 16–23 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325040

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