Validity and Applicability of the Eating Motivation Survey (TEMS) in a University Population in the Western Brazilian Amazon

TL;DR

This study tested a survey about eating motivations among university students in Brazil's Amazon region, finding that age, sex, and BMI influence different eating behaviors.

Contribution

The study validated an eight-factor model of eating motivations in a culturally diverse population and linked these factors to demographic characteristics.

Findings

The Eating Motivation Survey (TEMS) showed good validity and reliability with an eight-factor structure.

Older individuals and those with lower BMIs prioritized health and weight control, while younger participants and women were more influenced by emotional control.

The findings may support strategies for healthier eating and preventing diet-related diseases in diverse populations.

Abstract

This study aimed to test the factorial structure of the Eating Motivation Survey (TEMS) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in a sample of 632 university students from the Western Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 with participants of both sexes, aged 18 or older. In addition to CFA, psychometric analyses were performed, and a Structural Equation Model was developed to examine the relationships between individual characteristics (age, sex, and Body Mass Index (BMI)) and the TEMS constructs. The results showed that 58.3% of participants were female, with a mean age of 25.29 years. The CFA supported an eight-factor model (health, natural concerns, socialization, price, visual appeal, weight control, emotional control, and social image) with 24 items, presenting good validity and reliability indices. Older individuals and those with lower BMIs prioritized health, natural concerns, and weight control, while younger participants, women, and those with higher BMIs were more influenced by emotional control. The findings contribute to understanding eating motivations in culturally diverse contexts and may support strategies aimed at promoting healthier dietary behaviors and preventing diet-related chronic diseases.

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