Psychometric Validation of the Motivation for Healthy Eating Scale (MHES)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Japanese version of the Motivation for Healthy Eating Scale (MHES), a modified version of the Regulation of Eating Behavior Scale that assesses the motivational orientation toward healthy dietary regulation. In the first study, a sample of 490 female Japanese undergraduate students completed the MHES. In the second study, 357 female undergraduate students completed the Balanced Diet Scale (BDS), and Subjective Health Status Questionnaire (SHSQ) in addition to the MHES. The MEHS showed good internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity as measured by correlation with scores on the BDS and SHSQ. Psychometric analyses of the MEHS revealed a six-factor scale structure. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from .72 to .84 (Intrinsic motivation: .80, Integrated regulation: .82, Identified regulation: .84, Introjected regulation: .73, External regulation: .77, and Amotivation: .72). Concerning criterion validity, autonomous regulation was positively associated with BDS scores, whereas controlled regulation was negatively associated with SHSQ scores. The results indicate good psychometric properties for the Japanese version of the MHES. It might be confirmed that fostering autonomous regulation lead healthy eating habits and enhance subjective health.