Translating, modifying, and validating the Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire for use in China

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate, modify, and validate the Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ) for use in China.

Methods: Based on standard procedures, the APEQ was translated into Chinese. Four items were added in the final Chinese version of the APEQ (C-APEQ). For testing the psychometric properties of the C-APEQ, a total of 1069 participants (17-24 years; 52.57% women) were recruited from two universities in mainland China.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported the previous four-factor structure of the APEQ. Findings also showed that the C-APEQ had adequate internal consistency (α = 0.874) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.778). The C-APEQ demonstrated strong measurement invariance across gender. Furthermore, the C-APEQ composite score presented positive and significant correlations with eating disturbance, psychological distress, and psychological inflexibility. It also showed a negative and significant correlation with food-related life satisfaction.

Conclusion: Findings suggested that the Chinese version of the APEQ demonstrated sound psychometric properties. Thus, the C-APEQ can be a useful tool in future studies to accurately assess picky eating among adult population and explore the relationships between picky eating and other physical and psychological outcomes in a Chinese context.

Keywords: Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire; Chinese; Picky eating; Validation.