EAT-26 Screening Tool for Eating Disorders

Introduction to EAT-26

• The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) is a validated screening tool designed to identify individuals at risk for eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other disordered eating patterns 1, 2

Clinical Applications and Recommendations

• The American Psychiatric Association recommends screening for eating disorders as part of initial psychiatric evaluations 4, 5
• The EAT-26 can be used alongside other assessment methods, including evaluation of weight history and changes, assessment of restrictive eating, food avoidance, and binge eating, evaluation of compensatory behaviors, and measurement of preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape 4, 5

Integration with Clinical Practice and Patient Evaluation

• When a patient screens positive on the EAT-26, clinicians should conduct a comprehensive evaluation including medical, nutritional, and psychological assessments 3, 6
• For patients with diabetes, the EAT-26 can help identify disordered eating that may complicate diabetes management 7, 8
• Regular screening with validated tools like the EAT-26 is particularly important in high-risk populations, such as adolescents and young adults 3, 6

Factor Structure and Scoring

• The EAT-26 contains three main factors that form meaningful subscales, including Dieting, which is related to avoidance of fattening foods and preoccupation with thinness 3
• A positive screen on the EAT-26 requires follow-up clinical evaluation, as the EAT-26 alone cannot establish a diagnosis 1, 2