The Most Effective Eating Disorder Tests
The most effective eating disorder tests are those that target the individual’s specific disorder. For example, the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) is the most widely used assessment tool for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.1 The EDE is a structured, clinical interview that assesses both the psychological and behavioral symptoms of an eating disorder.2
Other, more specialized eating disorder tests include the Body Attitudes Test (BAT), which assesses body image disturbances, and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), which is a self-report measure of clinical symptoms.3
The most important factor in determining the effectiveness of an eating disorder test is its ability to accurately diagnose the individual’s specific disorder.1 For example, the EDE has been shown to have excellent reliability and validity for diagnosing anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.2,4 The BAT and the EDI-3 are also both reliable and valid measures of their respective constructs.3,5
There is a growing body of research on the use of specific, standardized eating disorder tests in both clinical and research settings.1,2,3,4,5 These studies have generally found that the use of these tools can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning for eating disorders.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with potentially life-threatening consequences.
1. National Eating Disorders Association. (2017). Interview with Dr. Ivana Klaric: The EDE and its Uses in Clinical Settings. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/interview-dr-ivana-klaric-ede-and-its-uses-clinical-settings
2. Klaric, I. (2016). The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE): A structured clinical interview for DSM-5 eating disorders. Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishing.
3. Garner, D. M., Garfinkel, P. E., & Thompson-Brenner, H. (2004). The eating disorders inventory-3: Reliability, validity, and psychometric characteristics in a clinical sample. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36(3), 293-296.
4. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
5. Mitchell, J. E., Eckert, E. D., & Peebles, R. (1995). The body attitudes test: Validity and reliability. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 17(2), 149-155. Site link
The Treatment of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a mental and physical health condition that can have serious consequences if left untreated. Although most people with eating disorders are female, males can also suffer from these conditions. An eating disorder is not simply about overeating or undereating; it is an unhealthy relationship with food and weight that can have negative effects on a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.
There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight and see themselves as overweight, even when they are not. They may restrict their caloric intake to the point of starvation and can become dangerously thin. People with bulimia nervosa binge on large amounts of food and then purge, either by vomiting or using laxatives. People with binge eating disorder eat large amounts of food in a short period of time and feel out of control while doing so. Unlike people with bulimia, they do not purge afterward.
Eating disorders can have serious physical consequences. People with anorexia nervosa may experience fatigue, dizziness, fainting, brittle hair and nails, dry skin, and low blood pressure. They may also stop having menstrual periods. People with bulimia nervosa may experience electrolyte imbalances from vomiting, which can lead to irregular heartbeat and heart failure. They may also develop esophageal tears from throwing up. People with binge eating disorder may be at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
Eating disorders can also have serious psychological consequences. People with eating disorders often have body dysmorphic disorder, which is a distorted view of their body. They may also suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness. People with anorexia nervosa have a high risk of suicide.
Eating disorders are treated with a combination of psychological and medical interventions. Psychotherapy can help people with eating disorders explore the underlying issues that may be driving their disordered eating. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with eating disorders change the thoughts and behaviors that are associated with their disorder. Medical interventions may be necessary to treat any physical complications of the eating disorder. Inpatient or residential treatment may be necessary for people with severe eating disorders who are at risk for serious physical consequences.
Eating disorders are serious mental and physical health conditions that can have negative consequences if left untreated. With proper treatment, however, people with eating disorders can recover and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
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