Italian Validation of the State Urge to be Physically Active- Questionnaire (SUPAQ-I) in Patients With Eating Disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) are severe psychiatric conditions that cause significant health and psychosocial issues, with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) having the highest mortality rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in ED cases, especially among children, with heightened restrictive eating and compulsive exercise. Up to 80% of individuals with AN engage in compulsive exercise, which current treatments fail to adequately address. The State Urge to be Physically Active Questionnaire (SUPA-Q) is the only validated tool for assessing activity urges in ED patients, covering cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. This study aims to develop and validate an Italian version of the SUPA-Q (SUPAQ-I) in a clinical sample of ED patients. A mixed-longitudinal study design will be used, with assessments at admission (T0) and discharge (T1) to evaluate the SUPAQ-I's reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. The sample will include patients aged 16-65 diagnosed with EDs undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Statistical analyses will include exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and internal consistency will be measured using Cronbach's α and McDonald's Ω indices. Validating the SUPAQ-I will improve the assessment of activity urges in ED patients, enhancing treatment strategies and outcomes.