The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ). Assessment of eating behaviour in an aging French population

The aim of the study was to develop a French version of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) in order to provide a self-report measure for French people in the field of gerontology. A short version of the DEBQ was administered to 262 participants aged 65 years and older. Single and multigroup confirmatory analyses were carried out. The fit measures for the three-factor model and the factorial invariance models with respect to age, sex and BMI status were satisfactory. Three subscales of DEBQ had satisfactory internal consistency. Regarding age, the results showed significant differences in emotional eating and restrained eating. Concerning sex, women had higher mean scores for emotional eating and restrained eating than men. Finally, the overweight older people had higher scores for emotional eating than the normal-weight participants. The short version of DEBQ should provide a useful measure for researchers and clinicians who are interested in exploring eating behaviours among the elderly.

► We test a short version of the DEBQ in an aging population.
► Single and multigroup confirmatory analyses were carried out.
► Women scored higher in restrained and emotion eating.
► Younger-old group scored higher in restrained and emotion eating.
► French version of DEBQ may be a valuable instrument in exploring the motivation to eat in older people.