Validating the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in Persian and Kurdish for Use in Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

PURPOSE: Eating problems are prevalent among children with Autism. Early identification is crucial for intervention. This study aimed to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) for use in Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). METHODS: The study involved a sample of 873 children, including 540 with autism and 333 neurotypically developing children, with a mean age of 7.09 years. The translation process followed a rigorous methodology, including obtaining official permission, translation, back-translation, and pilot testing to ensure cultural relevance and accuracy. RESULTS: The BAMBI, a mealtime behavior scale, showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.832) and a stable three-factor structure in 873 children (540 autistic, 333 neurotypical) aged 2-14 in Iran and the KRI. The BAMBI demonstrated good discriminant and convergent validity, correlating strongly with autism diagnostic measures. CONCLUSION: The BAMBI questionnaire has been successfully translated and validated for both Persian and Kurdish languages, enabling the evaluation of mealtime behaviors in clinical settings in Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.