[Evidence of validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Eating-Related Eco-Concern Scale (EREC) among Mexican adults].

INTRODUCTION environmental degradation has psychological consequences, including eco-anxiety, a growing concern that may influence eating behavior. Although the Eating-Related Eco-Concern Scale (EREC) has been validated in several countries, no validated version is currently available for Mexico. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the EREC among Mexican adults.

Methods

a total of 559 Mexican adults (51.7 % men; mean age = 29.3 years) completed the EREC, and a subsample also completed a measure of eating attitudes. Evidence of validity based on internal structure was examined through confirmatory factor analysis, and evidence based on relations with other variables was assessed through associations with eating attitudes. Reliability was estimated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Measurement invariance across sex and age groups was also examined.

Results

the EREC retained a unidimensional eight-item structure with satisfactory fit indices. Reliability was adequate (α and ω > 0.70), and positive associations with eating attitudes provided evidence of convergent validity. The scale demonstrated measurement invariance across sex and age groups.

Conclusion

the Mexican EREC-8 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing eating-related eco-concern among Mexican adults.