Validation and culture adaptation of the Arabic version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants - Shortened Version (REAP-S): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Study
- 1Jerash University
Abstract
AimTo translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically validate the Arabic version of the REAP-S among Arabic speaking young adults using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT).
DesignA cross-sectional methodological psychometric validation study.
MethodsThe study included 500 undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students recruited from Saudi universities during the 2025-2026 academic year. The REAP-S was translated into Arabic using standardized forward backward translation procedures and cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. Participants completed the Arabic REAP-S through an online self-administered questionnaire. Construct validity was evaluated using CFA with robust estimators, assessing the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR). Rasch Measurement Theory was applied to examine item fit, response category functioning, person item targeting, and person reliability. We assessed internal consistency using Cronbachs alpha and the Rasch Person Separation Index (PSI).
ResultsPsychometric analyses included 490 participants with a median age of 20 years (IQR = 19-22), of whom 54.1% were female. CFA supported the hypothesized one-factor structure and showed good model fit (CFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.978, RMSEA = 0.076, SRMR = 0.061). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.429 to 0.768, and internal consistency was good (Cronbachs = 0.863). Rasch analysis confirmed the scales unidimensionality, with satisfactory person reliability (Expected A Posteriori [EAP] = 0.872; Weighted Likelihood Estimate [WLE] = 0.848). All items demonstrated acceptable infit and outfit mean square statistics (0.826-1.311 and 0.866-1.283, respectively), with ordered response thresholds and adequate person-item targeting. Overall, the Arabic REAP-S effectively discriminated between different levels of dietary behavior among Arabic-speaking young adults.
ConclusionThe Arabic REAP-S demonstrated strong validity and reliability, supporting its unidimensional structure and appropriate psychometric performance. Evidence from both CFA and Rasch analysis confirmed acceptable model fit, good internal consistency, and adequate item functioning. The instrument provides a brief and practical tool for assessing dietary behaviors among Arabic-speaking young adults in clinical and research settings.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareThe Arabic REAP-S provides nurses and other healthcare professionals with a brief, standardized tool for rapidly assessing dietary behaviors and identifying individuals at nutritional risk. Its integration into routine clinical and community practice may support early dietary screening, guide nutrition education, and strengthen evidence based preventive care for diet related chronic diseases.
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BibTeX
@misc{albarrak2026validation,
title = {{Validation and culture adaptation of the Arabic version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants - Shortened Version (REAP-S): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Study}},
author = {T. M. Albarrak and W. N. Al-Qerem and S. N. AL-Quraan and A. Alharbi and O. Alkouri},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.15.26365598},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.15.26365598v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Validation and culture adaptation of the Arabic version of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants - Shortened Version (REAP-S): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Study
AU - T. M. Albarrak
AU - W. N. Al-Qerem
AU - S. N. AL-Quraan
AU - A. Alharbi
AU - O. Alkouri
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.15.26365598
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.15.26365598v1
AB - AimTo translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically validate the Arabic version of the REAP-S among Arabic speaking young adults using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT). DesignA cross-sectional methodological psychometric validation study. MethodsThe study included 500 undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students recruited from Saudi universities during the 2025-2026 academic year. The REAP-S was translated into Arabic using standardized forward backward translation procedures and cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. Participants completed the Arabic REAP-S through an online self-administered questionnaire. Construct validity was evaluated using CFA with robust estimators, assessing the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR). Rasch Measurement Theory was applied to examine item fit, response category functioning, person item targeting, and person reliability. We assessed internal consistency using Cronbachs alpha and the Rasch Person Separation Index (PSI). ResultsPsychometric analyses included 490 participants with a median age of 20 years (IQR = 19-22), of whom 54.1% were female. CFA supported the hypothesized one-factor structure and showed good model fit (CFI = 0.984, TLI = 0.978, RMSEA = 0.076, SRMR = 0.061). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.429 to 0.768, and internal consistency was good (Cronbachs = 0.863). Rasch analysis confirmed the scales unidimensionality, with satisfactory person reliability (Expected A Posteriori [EAP] = 0.872; Weighted Likelihood Estimate [WLE] = 0.848). All items demonstrated acceptable infit and outfit mean square statistics (0.826-1.311 and 0.866-1.283, respectively), with ordered response thresholds and adequate person-item targeting. Overall, the Arabic REAP-S effectively discriminated between different levels of dietary behavior among Arabic-speaking young adults. ConclusionThe Arabic REAP-S demonstrated strong validity and reliability, supporting its unidimensional structure and appropriate psychometric performance. Evidence from both CFA and Rasch analysis confirmed acceptable model fit, good internal consistency, and adequate item functioning. The instrument provides a brief and practical tool for assessing dietary behaviors among Arabic-speaking young adults in clinical and research settings. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareThe Arabic REAP-S provides nurses and other healthcare professionals with a brief, standardized tool for rapidly assessing dietary behaviors and identifying individuals at nutritional risk. Its integration into routine clinical and community practice may support early dietary screening, guide nutrition education, and strengthen evidence based preventive care for diet related chronic diseases.
ER -