Abstract

AMAYA HERNANDEZ, Adriana et al. Psychometric properties of the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns. Rev. Mex. de trastor. aliment [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.2, pp.82-93. ISSN 2007-1523.

The aim of this research was to know the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns in Mexican female and male population among 10 and 19 years old. The sample was non-probabilistic, composed by 917 participants (females 498 and males 419). After three testing pilots it was necessary to carried out two versions, one for each gender. Cronbach's alpha of .94 was obtained for female and .92 for male version. The exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors, which are: messages, likability with peers of the opposite sex and interaction with peers of the same sex, however it is worthy to note that these two versions are not comparable. Finally, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for each version, female and male, which confirmed the factorial model proposed in the exploratory analysis. Based on these results it is possible to conclude that both versions of this inventory are a useful tool to evaluate peer influence on eating concerns.

Keywords : Eating Disorders; sociocultural influence; body image; adolescents.