Multidimensional Psychology of Eating Questionnaire – MPEQ
A comprehensive self-report instrument designed to measure various cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of eating habits and patterns.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Multidimensional Psychology of Eating Questionnaire – MPEQ was developed by William E. Snell, Jr. (2001). It is designed to measure Multidimensional psychological aspects of eating. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 130 items organized into 26 factors/subscales: Eating Optimism, Eating Disorder, Eating Perfectionism, Eating Self-Monitoring, Eating Self-Esteem, Power-Other Locus of Eating Control, Eating Assertiveness, Healthy Eating Appetite, Motivation for Healthy Eating, Eating Social Desirability, Eating Disorder Prevention, Chance-Luck Locus of Eating Control, Eating Consciousness, Eating Status Self-Perception, Internal Locus of Eating Control, Motivation to Avoid Unhealthy Eating, Eating Self-Efficacy, Eating Disorder Self-Blame, Eating Self-Schemata, Eating Response Consistency, Fear of Becoming Overweight, Eating Depression, Eating Satisfaction, Eating Anxiety, Eating Guilt-Shame, Eating Anger.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Eating Optimism | 1,21,41,61,81 | 5 |
| Eating Disorder | 2,22,42,62,82 | 5 |
| Eating Perfectionism | 3,23,43,63,83 | 5 |
| Eating Self-Monitoring | 4,24,44,64,84 | 5 |
| Eating Self-Esteem | 5,25,45,65,85 | 5 |
| Power-Other Locus of Eating Control | 6,26,46,66,86 | 5 |
| Eating Assertiveness | 7,27,47,67,87 | 5 |
| Healthy Eating Appetite | 8,28,48,68,88 | 5 |
| Motivation for Healthy Eating | 9,29,49,69,89 | 5 |
| Eating Social Desirability | 10,30,50,70,90 | 5 |
| Eating Disorder Prevention | 11,31,51,71,91 | 5 |
| Chance-Luck Locus of Eating Control | 12,32,52,72,92 | 5 |
| Eating Consciousness | 13,33,53,73,93 | 5 |
| Eating Status Self-Perception | 14,34,54,74,94 | 5 |
| Internal Locus of Eating Control | 15,35,55,75,95 | 5 |
| Motivation to Avoid Unhealthy Eating | 16,36,56,76,96 | 5 |
| Eating Self-Efficacy | 17,37,57,77,97 | 5 |
| Eating Disorder Self-Blame | 18,38,58,78,98 | 5 |
| Eating Self-Schemata | 19,39,59,79,99 | 5 |
| Eating Response Consistency | 20,40,60,80,100 | 5 |
| Fear of Becoming Overweight | 101,107,113,119,125 | 5 |
| Eating Depression | 102,108,114,120,126 | 5 |
| Eating Satisfaction | 103,109,115,121,127 | 5 |
| Eating Anxiety | 104,110,116,122,128 | 5 |
| Eating Guilt-Shame | 105,111,117,123,129 | 5 |
| Eating Anger | 106,112,118,124,130 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Not at all characteristic of me, 2 = Slightly characteristic of me, 3 = Somewhat characteristic of me, 4 = Moderately characteristic of me, 5 = Very characteristic of me.
The scale includes 7 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 5 to 25. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low: 5 – 9
- Below Average: 10 – 14
- Average: 15 – 19
- High: 20 – 25
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Varies by subscale.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.