The EAT-26, or Eating Attitudes Test, is a widely-used eating disorder screening test that can help you determine whether you may have an eating disorder, whether anorexia, bulimia, or something else. No one tool can reliably make an eating disorder diagnosis, but the EAT-26 is an excellent first step. It identifies symptoms that are consistent with a possible eating disorder.
The results of the EAT-26 are perfect for starting a conversation with your doctor, dietitian, or therapist. A professional can help you make choices that will change your life for the better.
You'll need a separate sheet of paper to write down your answers. Answer the questions as honestly as you can, and then score the test using the instructions on the next page.
(Not enough time for the EAT-26? Try the 5-question SCOFF Eating Disorder Screening)
Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26)
Age: _____
Current Weight: ______
Highest weight (excluding pregnancy): _____
Sex: _____
Height: _____
Lowest Adult Weight: ______
Ideal Weight: ______
For each of the statements below, please choose one of the following six responses:
- Always
- Usually
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Questions
Am terrified about being overweight. Notes on fear of being overweight
Avoid eating when I am hungry. Thoughts on ignoring hunger
Find myself preoccupied with food. On preoccupation with food
Have gone on eating binges where I feel that I may not be able to stop. What eating binges may mean
Cut my food into small pieces. Thoughts on cutting food into small pieces
Aware of the calorie content of foods that I eat. Notes on calorie counting
Particularly avoid food with a high carbohydrate content (i.e., bread, rice, potatoes, etc.). Possible results of avoiding carbs
Feel that others would prefer if I ate more. What others' opinions might mean
Vomit after I have eaten. On vomiting after meals and snacks
Feel extremely guilty after eating. Notes on guilt after eating
Am preoccupied with a desire to be thinner. Wanting to be thinner
Think about burning up calories when I exercise. On being focused on calories
Other people think that I am too thin. When others say I'm too thin
Am preoccupied with the thought of having fat on my body. Thoughts on being worried about body fat
Take longer than others to eat my meals. What eating slowly can mean
Avoid foods with sugar in them. The effect of avoiding sugar
Eat diet foods. Where dieting might take you
Feel that food controls my life. What happens when feeling out of control
Display self-control around food. Does self-control have drawbacks?
Feel that others pressure me to eat. On being pressured to eat
Give too much time and thought to food. Where the time goes
Feel uncomfortable after eating sweets. Guilt after sweets
Engage in dieting behavior. The dieting path
Like my stomach to be empty. Lure of the empty stomach
Have the impulse to vomit after meals. On the urge to purge
Enjoy trying new rich foods. What trying new foods can do
Behavioral Questions
In the past 6 months have you:
A) Gone on eating binges where you feel that you may not be able to stop (eating much more than most people would eat under the same circumstances)? If you answered yes, how often during the worst week? ____________________
B) Ever made yourself sick (vomited) to control your weight or shape?
If you answered yes, how often during the worst week? ____________________
C) Ever used laxatives, diet pills or diuretics (water pills) to control your weight or shape? If you answered yes, how often during the worst week? ____________________
D) Ever been treated for an eating disorder? When? ___________________________
Reference
EAT-26 from: Garner et al. 1982, Psychological Medicine 12: 871-878; adapted by D. Garner with permission.
