Title: Prevalence of eating disorders in school-aged children and pre-adolescents in the Canary Islands (PRETA study)
Funded by: Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC)
Granted amount: €14,909.84
Duration: 2 years
Principal Investigator: Yolanda Ramallo Fariña (PI), Néstor Benítez Brito (Co-PI)
Collaborating Researchers: Beatriz León Salas, Tasmania del Pino Sedeño, Mercedes Murray Hurtado, Candelaria Desirée Díaz Melián, María Paz López, Pedro Díaz Fernández, Pamela Álvarez Trenco, María José García Mérida, Mónica Ruiz Pons, Eva María Herrera Rodríguez, Pedro Guillermo Serrano Aguilar, Carlos Díaz Romero, Lluis Serra Majem
Objectives:
- Validate the Spanish version of the YFAS-c (Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children) to assess Food Addiction (FA).
- Estimate the prevalence of Eating Disorders (ED) and FA in schoolchildren aged 9 to 12 years in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.
Methodology:
Design: A two-phase study will be conducted. The initial phase will involve a pilot study of the YFAS-c questionnaire to finalize the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument. The second phase will focus on estimating the prevalence of ED and FA.
Sample size: 3,360 schoolchildren.
Randomization: In 2 stages; schools will be randomly selected from each island (based on population criteria) and, from each school, 2 classrooms per grade level will be chosen.
Outcome measures: For FA: YFAS-c. For ED: a) Children Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT); b) Semi-structured diagnostic interview (section 9 of the “1st part” of the SCAN); c) Psychological characteristics and associated symptoms using the Eating Disorders Inventory-Child (EDI-C).
Characterization measures: a) Contour Drawing Rating Scale; b) Anthropometric parameters (weight/height, BMI, waist and hip circumference); c) Questionnaire on eating habits and physical activity, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic history.
Analysis: Prevalences will be calculated by school grade and student characteristics. Associations will be established to study the relationship between ED and FA risk through descriptive and multivariate analyses with linear regressions, using scale scores as dependent variables and subject characteristics as independent variables. Binomial regressions will be conducted with the existence of ED or FA as the dependent variable, respectively. Psychometric analysis of the YFAS-c questionnaire will be performed, completing its validation: item-level analysis will assess potential floor or ceiling effects. Item scores will be compared between groups based on characteristics. Internal consistency will be calculated, and factorial analysis will be conducted. Metric properties of the instrument will also be studied from the perspective of Item Response Theory (IRT) using Rasch models or rating scale models.
Contact Person: Yolanda Ramallo Fariña (yolanda.ramallofarina@sescs.es)