Eating Attitudes Test – EAT-26
A standardized self-report screening measure of disordered eating behaviors and attitudes toward food.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Eating Attitudes Test – EAT-26 was developed by David M. Garner, Marion P. Olmsted, Y. Bohr, and Paul E. Garfinkel (1982). It is designed to measure Disordered eating behaviors and attitudes. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 26 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Dieting, Bulimia and Food Preoccupation, Oral Control.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Dieting | 1,6,7,10,11,12,14,16,17,22,23,24,26 | 13 |
| Bulimia and Food Preoccupation | 3,4,9,18,21,25 | 6 |
| Oral Control | 2,5,8,13,15,19,20 | 7 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Always, 2 = Very Often, 3 = Often, 4 = Sometimes, 5 = Rarely, 6 = Never.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 78. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low risk of eating disorder: 0 – 19
- High risk of eating disorder (referral recommended): 20 – 78
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.90.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.