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A self-report instrument measuring readiness to change disordered eating behaviors: The Eating Disorders Stage of Change

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the utility of the Eating Disorders Stage of Change (EDSOC), a behavior-specific readiness questionnaire. Method: Patients (N=145) at a multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment facility in the United States completed the EDSOC and other questionnaires. Results: One-week test-retest reliability was strong across eating disorder diagnoses and age groups. Convergent validity was strongest when the behavior in question was congruent with the diagnosis (e.g., purging behaviors for bulimia nervosa diagnosis) and compared to the patient’s own intention to complete treatment. Divergent validity was demonstrated against body mass index values and age. However, the EDSOC and Body Shape Questionnaire were inversely correlated, suggesting that increased body shape concerns are associated with decreased intention to change a behavior. Conclusion: This preliminary cost-effective, behavior-specific measure demonstrates good psychometric properties and is appropriate for use with children and adults. Across diagnosis, the instrument should be used by looking at each single item instead of summing a total score across disparate eating disorder behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    D. M. Ackard PhD

  2. Melrose Institute at Park Nicollet, St Louis Park, MN, USA

    S. Richter

  3. The Emily Program, St Paul, MN, USA

    J. K. Croll

  4. Health Research Center, Park Nicollet Institute, St Louis Park, MN, USA

    S. Adlis

  5. St. Louis University, St Louis, MO, USA

    A. Wonderlich

Authors
  1. D. M. Ackard PhD
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  2. J. K. Croll
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  3. S. Richter
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  4. S. Adlis
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  5. A. Wonderlich
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Correspondence to D. M. Ackard PhD.

Additional information

Supported by a grant from the Park Nicollet Institute (1709-02A; D. Ackard, Principal Investigator). Parts of this manuscript were presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, Academy for Eating Disorders Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, April 29-May 2, 2004. The authors greatly appreciate the cooperation and support of the Melrose Institute in conducting this research and the time and willingness of patients receiving treatment there to participate in the study.

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Ackard, D.M., Croll, J.K., Richter, S. et al. A self-report instrument measuring readiness to change disordered eating behaviors: The Eating Disorders Stage of Change. Eat Weight Disord 14, e66–e76 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327802

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