Validation of the German Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) in children and adolescents with eating disorders and ADHD

BACKGROUND: The Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) is an internationally applied, parent-report questionnaire on children's eating behaviors, but has mainly been validated in population-based samples or children with obesity. This study presents a first comprehensive validation of the German version of the CEBQ in a treatment-seeking and community-based sample including anorexia nervosa (AN), avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), loss of control (LOC) eating, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a healthy control group. METHODS: The German version of the CEBQ was completed by 226 parents of children and adolescents (9 months to 17 years) in Germany and Switzerland. Factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity, internal consistency, as well as sociodemographic correlates were assessed, using objectively measured anthropometrics and well-established clinical interviews and questionnaires on eating disorders and associated psychopathology in parent- and self-report. RESULTS: The original 8-factor structure showed acceptable model fit and acceptable to excellent internal consistency. Convergent validity was mostly supported by weight status and interview- and questionnaire-measured eating behaviors. The CEBQ subscales differentiated between groups associated with overeating (ADHD, LOC eating) versus restrictive eating (ARFID and AN). CONCLUSION: The results support the German version of the CEBQ as a valid and reliable tool for assessing eating behavior in youth with eating disorders and ADHD. Future research using larger and age-specific samples should examine psychometric comparability across developmental stages and may provide norms for the CEBQ to enhance its utility as a screening tool.