{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Psychometric properties of the nine-item avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder screen (NIAS) in Turkish adolescents.
{Author}: Kaşak M;Öğütlü H;Doğan U;Zickgraf HF;Türkçapar MH;
{Journal}: J Eat Disord
{Volume}: 12
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jul 25
{Factor}: 4.916
{DOI}: 10.1186/s40337-024-01066-0
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (NIAS) in a population of Turkish adolescents.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The NIAS, designed to screen for ARFID symptoms, including picky eating, fear-related eating behaviors, and low appetite, was administered to secondary school students between 13 and 18 ages in Muğla, Turkiye.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Based on a sample of 268 adolescents, the NIAS's reliability and validity in this demographic are supported. The research utilized confirmatory factor analysis to verify its three-factor structure and various reliability tests, including Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability, confirming the scale's internal consistency and temporal stability. The descriptive analysis highlighted significant differences in NIAS scores across BMI categories, with underweight adolescents scoring higher, suggesting a potential link between ARFID symptoms and lower body weight. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between NIAS subscales and measures of anxiety, depression, and eating behaviors, indicating the scale's effectiveness in reflecting relevant psychopathological features.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Overall, the study establishes the Turkish NIAS as a useful tool for identifying ARFID in Turkish adolescents, aiding early detection and intervention in this at-risk age group. Further research is recommended to explore the scale's utility across different clinical settings and refine its diagnostic accuracy, enhancing our understanding of ARFID's impact on youth mental health and nutritional status.<BR>Cross-culturally reliable tools for assessing symptoms of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in young people are crucial, especially during adolescence, a critical period for the emergence of various eating and feeding disorders. The Nine Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (NIAS) is a brief and practical instrument designed to assess and rate symptoms across three phenotypes associated with ARFID: ‘picky eating,’ ‘fear,’ and ‘appetite,’ which can lead to restricted food volume or variety. This study, focusing on a sample of Turkish adolescents, validates the reliability and accuracy of the NIAS in this particular demographic. The findings offer a foundational understanding of the ARFID profile among Turkish adolescents. The psychometric robustness of the NIAS in self-reporting among adolescents is demonstrated by significant correlations between its subscales and other measures of anxiety, depression, and eating behaviors, indicating that the scale effectively captures related psychopathological traits.