Development of University of Tokyo's eating disorders inventory in female athletes

Abstract

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to develop a scale to screen for eating disorders in female athletes.MethodsPreliminary survey: A total of 275 female athletes (mean age: 19.4 ± 1.0 years) and 7 female athletes diagnosed with eating disorders (mean age: 20.1 ± 2.5 years) were administered screening items prepared based on an existing scale, followed by exploratory factor analysis.Main survey: Six items, relating to three factors, were extracted, and 201 female athletes (mean age: 22.3 ± 4.8 years) and 6 female athletes diagnosed with current or a history of eating disorders (mean age: 18.8 ± 2.9 years) were queried. The diagnostic validity of the scale was then evaluated.ResultsPreliminary survey: Questions (α = 0.71) were extracted from six items, relating to three factors, and collectively termed the University of Tokyo's eating disorders inventory in female athletes (TEDIFA). To determine the scale cut‐off score, ROC analysis was performed with the total score, and the cut‐off and gray zone scores were set at 13 and 11, respectively.Main survey: At the cut‐off score of 13, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.83 (p < 0.05), 75%, and 90%, respectively.ConclusionsThe scale that was developed, TEDIFA, consisted of six items. The cut‐off scores were set at 11 for the gray zone (sensitivity: 75%; specificity: 56%; accurate diagnosis rate: 60%), and 13 for positivity (sensitivity: 75%; specificity: 90%; accurate diagnosis rate: 87%), demonstrating the reliability and validity of the scale.