Psychometric Analysis of the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Short Form to Evaluate Dietary Quality in a Pre-Surgical Bariatric Population

Dietary quality and eating behaviors are essential to evaluating bariatric surgery candidates. The Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants–Short Form (REAP-S) is a previously validated measure of dietary quality suited for use in primary care. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the REAP-S in a pre-surgical bariatric population. This study included data from one academic medical center from August 2020 to August 2022. Variables included socio-demographics, the REAP-S, mental health, and assessments of appetitive traits. Statistical methods included Cronbach’s alpha, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multivariable analyses. A total of 587 adult patients were included in this analysis. The mean score for the REAP-S was 28.32 (SD: 4.02), indicative of relatively moderate dietary quality. The internal consistency of the REAP-S was moderate, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.65. The three-factor CFA model resulted in a comparative fit index of 0.91. Race (p = 0.01), body mass index (p = 0.01), food fussiness (p < 0.0001), food responsiveness (p = 0.005), and socially desirable responses (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with the total REAP-S score. Although the REAP-S’s original purpose was to assess dietary quality within a primary care population, it shows promise for application within a bariatric surgery-seeking population.