Avaliação de factores de risco de desenvolvimento de perturbações alimentares: desenvolvimento e estudos de validação da versão portuguesa do Mcknigmy Risk Factor Survey IV

This article presents the process of the development and validation study of the Portuguese version (both male and female) of the McKnight Risk Factor Survey IV (MRFS-IV). MRFS-IV assesses potential risk and protective factors for the development of eating disorders (ED) in adolescents, and was originally developed to be used only with females. Seven hundred and ninety three middle and high school students (aged 12 to 20 years), completed MRFS-IV, as well as other measures in order to evaluate its convergent validity (Contour Drawing Rating Scale, Global Self-Esteem Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire). Exploratory factor analysis used with most items (rated on a 5-point Likert scale) resulted in a nine factor structure with quite adequate levels of internal consistency - Concern with Thinness, Self-Esteem, Social Pressure, Overeating, Substance Use and Compensatory Methods, Social Support, Parental Influences, AnxietyDepression Symptomatology and Perfectionism. Remaining items were organized in eight indicators of other important aspects of ED risk evaluation among adolescents. The psychometric study also showed good results concerning convergent validity. The Portuguese version of MRFS-IV can thus be a significant instrument for assessing the risk of the development of ED, both in investigation and preven tion fields.