The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to screen for symptoms and risk factors associated with eating disorders. Developed by Garner et al. (1982), the EAT-26 is a refined version of the original EAT-40 and consists of 26 items that assess attitudes, behaviors, and concerns related to eating. The test is scored on a six-point Likert scale (ranging from Always to Never), with a total score of 20 or higher suggesting a potential risk for an eating disorder and warranting further evaluation by a healthcare professional.
The EAT-26 is divided into three subscales:
Dieting – Measures concerns about body weight, shape, and food restriction.
Bulimia and Food Preoccupation – Assesses binge eating and purging behaviors.
Oral Control – Evaluates self-control over eating and social pressures related to food consumption.
While the EAT-26 is not a diagnostic tool, it is widely used in clinical, research, and screening settings to identify individuals at risk for disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (Garner et al., 1982). The test has demonstrated strong reliability and validity across different populations (Garner, 2004). However, it should be administered alongside clinical interviews or additional assessments for a comprehensive evaluation of disordered eating behaviors.
References
Garner, D. M., Olmsted, M. P., Bohr, Y., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1982). The Eating Attitudes Test: Psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychological Medicine, 12(4), 871-878.
Garner, D. M. (2004). Eating Disorder Inventory-3: Professional Manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.