Résumé
Given the specific issues and social influences pertaining to eating behaviors, the existing tools have obvious limits and may only suggest the emergence or prevalence of a disorder. Thus, the development and validation of a specific tool, such as a virtual interface allowing subjects to project their eating habits, seemed necessary to better assess, explain and prevent eating disorders, especially among athletes. The aim of this study was thus to develop a computerized instrument to assess eating attitudes and behaviors, the “virtual self-service restaurant”, with which individuals can select foods for virtual meals using a graphical user interface. This interface enables the assessment of the individual’s (a) basal metabolism, (b) energy use related to physical activity, (c) global energy use, (d) global energy intake, (e) difference between energy use and intake, and (f) distribution of food intake over the day. The validity of the virtual restaurant was verified among four populations (i.e., adolescents, adolescent athletes in sports carrying a high risk of eating disorders, adolescent athletes in other sports, and adults). Satisfactory internal and external validity of the virtual self-service restaurant were found. This valid and reliable instrument can be used to promote educational nutrition programs for sedentary and athletic populations. In the sport context, this tool could help athletes to focus on personal nutritional needs based on day-to-day changes in the schedule of training intensity and volume. Finally, an important point is that little time is needed for the virtual self-service restaurant, making it compatible with the busiest schedules, such as those of elite athletes.