Measuring the Ecological Footprint of Eating Behaviors: A Psychometric Study on the Turkish Version of the EREC Scale

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Eating-Related Eco-Concern (EREC) in young Turkish adults and to evaluate the effect of ecological concerns on disordered eating characteristics, with a view to comparing these effects with the risk of eating disorders. METHODS: The study included 600 young adults (138 males and 462 females) aged 18 to 35. Using face-to-face administration, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q-13) Short Form to assess eating disorder-related psychopathology and the EREC Scale to assess eating behaviors related to eco-concern were administered, and Turkish validity and reliability were examined. RESULTS: = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: All item factors of the Turkish adaptation of the scale exhibit a structure that is quite consistent with the original scale. The 10-question version of EREC can be used with young adults in Türkiye. In this study, although ecological anxiety was associated with eating restraint or purging, it was not found to be generally associated with eating disorders.