Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) ©
Reproduced with the permission of the author. Please see the official EAT-26© website for further information regarding this test.
Introduction
The Eating Attitudes Test - 26 Item (EAT-26) is a widely recognized self-report questionnaire designed to screen for symptoms and concerns characteristic of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Originally derived from the 40-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the EAT-26 was developed to improve the efficiency and applicability of the screening process in both clinical and non-clinical populations. The scale focuses on various aspects of eating behavior, such as dieting, bulimia, and food preoccupation, alongside oral control, which pertains to self-control over eating.
Composed of 26 items, the EAT-26 uses a 6-point scale ranging from “always” to “never” to assess individual responses. The structure of the questionnaire allows respondents to indicate the frequency with which they engage in specific behaviors and thought patterns associated with eating disorders. A higher total score suggests a greater level of concern related to eating attitudes and behaviors, where a threshold score of 20 or above typically necessitates a more comprehensive clinical evaluation.
The EAT-26 is not only utilized as a preliminary screening tool in clinical settings to identify individuals who may require further diagnostic assessment for eating disorders, but it is also employed extensively in research to investigate the prevalence and correlates of disordered eating behaviors across different populations and settings. Its ease of administration and established psychometric properties make the EAT-26 a practical choice for both large-scale epidemiological studies and routine clinical screening.
Instructions
Please fill out the form below as accurately, honestly and completely as possible. There are no right or wrong answers.
Sources
- DM Garner, PE Garfinkel. The Eating Attitudes Test: An Index of the Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa. 9 Psychological Medicine 273-279 (1979).
- DM Garner, et al. The Eating Attitudes Test: Psychometric Features and Clinical Correlates. 12 Psychological Medicine 871-878 (1982). (Introduced the 26 item version of the EAT.)