Content validation of the Eating Behavior and Appetite Questionnaire (EBAQ) in adolescents with obesity or overweight.
- 1Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- 2Patient-Centered Research, Evidera, PPD Clinical Research Business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, London, UK.
- 3Patient-Centered Research, Evidera, PPD Clinical Research Business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilmington, NC, USA.
Abstract
Background
Obesity in children and adolescents is a growing global concern. Changes in appetite and eating behaviors are clinically relevant outcomes for long-term management of obesity. The Eating Behavior and Appetite Questionnaire (EBAQ) was developed as existing patient-reported outcome measures do not comprehensively capture concepts important to individuals with obesity. Its content and psychometric validity have been demonstrated in adults; this study evaluated the content validity of the 17-item EBAQ in adolescents with obesity or overweight.Methods
This cross-sectional qualitative study included US-based adolescents (12-17 years) with obesity or with overweight and ≥1 obesity-related complication. Cognitive interviews were conducted via telephone/teleconference using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants completed the EBAQ and provided feedback on its relevance, clarity, and comprehensiveness. Transcripts were coded using a coding framework.Results
Fifteen adolescents (mean age, 14.7 years; mean body-mass index, 33.6 kg/m²) participated. Most (12/15, 80%) had not received obesity management medications (OMMs). All (15/15, 100%) understood the instructions and recall period, and 14/15 (93%) understood the response options. Each item was understood by ≥ 80% of the participants (≥12/15), except for Item 5 ('Appetite was controlled'). Item 5 was understood by all participants who had received OMMs (n = 3) but only a few of the treatment-naïve participants (n = 4), suggesting more relevance for those on treatment. Each item was deemed relevant by ≥ 54% of the participants (≥7/15), except Item 17 ('Eating because stressed') which was considered relevant by 46% (6/13) of the participants. Overall, most participants (11/15, 73%) found the EBAQ well-structured, easy to understand and complete, and relevant.Conclusion
Findings support the conceptual relevance, clarity, and appropriateness of the 17-item EBAQ for adolescents with obesity or overweight. The EBAQ may be used to assess appetite and eating behavior outcomes in adolescents with obesity or overweight in clinical trials and observational studies.
Related
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- Validation of the Children and Adolescents Physical Activity and Sedentary Questionnaire (CAPAS-Q) in Polish Children and Adolescents.
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- Validation of the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale in Danish adolescents
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BibTeX
@article{kanu2026content,
title = {{Content validation of the Eating Behavior and Appetite Questionnaire (EBAQ) in adolescents with obesity or overweight.}},
author = {Chisom Kanu and Claudine Clucas and Theresa Hunter Gibble and Ashley Samuelson and Hayley Karn},
journal = {Obesity pillars},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.obpill.2026.100342},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898497},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Content validation of the Eating Behavior and Appetite Questionnaire (EBAQ) in adolescents with obesity or overweight.
AU - Chisom Kanu
AU - Claudine Clucas
AU - Theresa Hunter Gibble
AU - Ashley Samuelson
AU - Hayley Karn
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Obesity pillars
DO - 10.1016/j.obpill.2026.100342
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898497
AB - Background Obesity in children and adolescents is a growing global concern. Changes in appetite and eating behaviors are clinically relevant outcomes for long-term management of obesity. The Eating Behavior and Appetite Questionnaire (EBAQ) was developed as existing patient-reported outcome measures do not comprehensively capture concepts important to individuals with obesity. Its content and psychometric validity have been demonstrated in adults; this study evaluated the content validity of the 17-item EBAQ in adolescents with obesity or overweight.Methods This cross-sectional qualitative study included US-based adolescents (12-17 years) with obesity or with overweight and ≥1 obesity-related complication. Cognitive interviews were conducted via telephone/teleconference using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants completed the EBAQ and provided feedback on its relevance, clarity, and comprehensiveness. Transcripts were coded using a coding framework.Results Fifteen adolescents (mean age, 14.7 years; mean body-mass index, 33.6 kg/m²) participated. Most (12/15, 80%) had not received obesity management medications (OMMs). All (15/15, 100%) understood the instructions and recall period, and 14/15 (93%) understood the response options. Each item was understood by ≥ 80% of the participants (≥12/15), except for Item 5 ('Appetite was controlled'). Item 5 was understood by all participants who had received OMMs (n = 3) but only a few of the treatment-naïve participants (n = 4), suggesting more relevance for those on treatment. Each item was deemed relevant by ≥ 54% of the participants (≥7/15), except Item 17 ('Eating because stressed') which was considered relevant by 46% (6/13) of the participants. Overall, most participants (11/15, 73%) found the EBAQ well-structured, easy to understand and complete, and relevant.Conclusion Findings support the conceptual relevance, clarity, and appropriateness of the 17-item EBAQ for adolescents with obesity or overweight. The EBAQ may be used to assess appetite and eating behavior outcomes in adolescents with obesity or overweight in clinical trials and observational studies.
SN - 2667-3681
ER -