The impact of age and BMI on Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) scores in a community sample

ObjectivesThe primary objectives for this study were to establish normative data for the EDE-Q in a nationally representative sample of women and to investigate the unique and relative effects of age and BMI.MethodsA community sample of 3000 women aged 16–50 was randomly selected from the Norwegian National Population Register.ResultsMean global EDE-Q was 1.27 (SD = 1.19). EDE-Q scores decreased significantly with age yet increased with BMI. In the regression model, BMI and age accounted for 19% versus 2%, respectively, of the global EDE-Q. Extreme shape and weight concerns appeared to drive the higher global EDE-Q scores for individuals with overweight or obesity, with 30–40% scoring above the recommended clinical cut-off for Shape and Weight Concern.ConclusionsHigher EDE-Q scores, largely driven by elevated shape and weight concerns, appear normative among individuals with obesity in a nationally representative population. BMI should be routinely considered when establishing criteria for defining recovery and determining clinical significance using the EDE-Q.

► In a national sample of women aged 16–50 we established norms for EDE-Q scores.
► We investigated the effects of age and BMI on EDE-Q scores.
► EDE-Q scores decreased significantly with age yet increased with BMI.
► BMI had a much higher impact on EDE-Q scores than age.