Factorial validation of the children’s eating behavior questionnaire and the association between the eating behaviors assessed and BMI Z score in Chinese preschoolers aged 2–5 years

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) among Chinese preschool children aged 2–5 years. Additionally, we investigated the associations between eating behaviors assessed by the CEBQ and body mass index (BMI). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of Chinese preschool children aged 2 to 5 years (n = 11,780). The CEBQ was employed to assess participants’ eating behaviors, and factor analysis of the CEBQ was conducted; sex and age differences in eating behaviors were examined. Correlations between children’s BMI z scores and eating behaviors were analyzed via linear regression analysis controlling for age; sex; ethnicity; maternal age, education level, ethnicity and BMI; paternal age, education level, ethnicity and BMI. Results The factor analysis confirmed the eight-factor structure of the CEBQ, which explained 67.57% of the total variance. Two items were excluded owing to low factor loadings. The subscales showed satisfactory internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha range: 0.76–0.90). Significant sex and age differences were observed for several CEBQ subscales, and BMI z scores were found to be associated with various eating behavior subscales. Conclusions This study’s findings support the validity and reliability of the CEBQ for assessing eating behaviors among Chinese preschool children, and children’s eating behaviors might be affected by age and sex. Furthermore, BMI was found to be associated with specific eating behaviors. Understanding these associations can inform interventions that promote healthy eating habits in this population.