Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26)

(Garner et al., 1982).

The EAT-26 is a 26-item self- and clinician-report measure for youths ages 16-18 to assess for behaviors correlated with eating disorders. The EAT-26 can be used as a screening tool (Garner, 2010). The EAT-26 consists of three subscales: Dieting, Bulimia and Food Occupation, and Oral Control. Sample items include, “I feel that others would prefer if I ate more,” “I like my stomach to be empty,” and “I am occupied with a desire to be thinner.” The measure is rated using a 4-point Likert scale from zero (“Sometimes,” “Rarely,” and “Never”), one (“Often”), two (“Very often”), to three (“Always”). In addition to the original subscales, behavioral questions have been added to assess self-reported binge eating, self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, extreme exercise, and past treatment of an eating disorder (Garner, 2010). The EAT-26 can be administered in ten minutes. Clinically disordered eating is indicated with a cut-off score of 20 out of a score of 78. The EAT-26 demonstrates excellent internal consistency, especially for patients with anorexia (AN; α = .90; Garner et al., 1982). It also demonstrates good discriminant validity and can distinguish between youths with AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and/or binge-eating disorder (BED) from control youths. It can also discriminate youths with AN/BN from those with BED. However, it cannot distinguish those with AN from those with BN (Williamson, Prather, McKenzie, & Blouin, 1990). Strong psychometrics have also been found for different cultural groups (e.g., Spanish-speaking, Italian-speaking, etc.). The measure is available online (http://www.eat-26.com).