On the measurement and correlates of plate clearing: examining a German version of the Plate Clearing Tendency Scale

PURPOSE: Plate clearing—eating a meal in its entirety—is common and may be a factor contributing to obesity. For the assessment of individual differences in plate clearing tendencies, Robinson et al. (Obesity 23:301–304, 2015) developed the Plate Clearing Tendency Scale (PCTS). However, little is known about the psychometric properties of this scale and its correlates. METHODS: In the current study, participants (N = 207, 76% female) completed a German translation of the PCTS and other questionnaires online. RESULTS: A one-factor structure had good model fit and the PCTS had acceptable internal reliability and good test–retest reliability across an average of four and a half weeks. Higher plate clearing tendencies related to more frequent parental encouragement to clear one’s plate in childhood and to stronger food waste concerns but were unrelated to sex, body weight, self-control, and eating behaviors. However, higher plate clearing tendencies related to higher body weight in unsuccessful dieters. CONCLUSION: The current study shows that the PCTS has sound psychometric properties and that plate clearing tendencies appear to be largely driven by food waste concerns and not by automatic eating habits or low eating-related self-control. In dieters, however, high plate clearing tendencies may contribute to low dieting success and hinder weight loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: No level of evidence, basic science.