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

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.