AUTHOR=Yan Qinyu , Shah Muhammad Waseem , Yang Jin , Pan Da , Sun Guiju 

TITLE=Psychometric evaluation of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire and its relationship with body mass index among Chinese university students: a cross-sectional validation study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1691302

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1691302

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=BackgroundEating behavior critically impacts human health and the development of obesity. This study aimed to validate the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) among Chinese university students and explore the relationship between appetitive traits and body mass index (BMI).MethodsA total of 546 students from Southeast University completed the Chinese version of the AEBQ and self-reported anthropometric data. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the factor structure and evaluate model fit, and Spearman’s correlation assessed relationships between appetitive traits and BMI.ResultsThe original 8-factor, 35-item model showed a good fit, which improved further after removing the Hunger subscale. All subscales demonstrated strong reliability (α and ω > 0.70). Females exhibited higher scores in Enjoyment of Food, Emotional Over-eating, Food Responsiveness, and Satiety Responsiveness than males (p < 0.05). Food approach traits (except for Hunger) were positively correlated with BMI (p < 0.05), whereas food avoidance traits (except for Food Fussiness) were negatively correlated (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe AEBQ is a reliable and valid psychological measurement for assessing appetitive traits in Chinese adults and conducting large-scale studies. Interventions targeting appetite traits provide new insights into weight management and obesity prevention.