Eating Attitude Test Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Eating Attitude Test - Research Paper Example A changed nutritional condition in individuals with eating disorders arises from the irregular or unusual eating patterns and attitudes and cognitive changes associated with the weight and food that are the main attributes of such disorders. Since eating attitudes and related behaviors differ considerably across patients and disorders, nutritional condition and consequent problems show significant variation. Nevertheless, a model for carrying out and assessing the nutritional evaluation of these patients can be helpful. Such a feature of assessment is a major part of the diagnosis for it allows continuous observation of the outcomes or impact of the intervention. Furthermore, it could help in the timely diagnosis of an emerging eating disorder or an at-risk person and hence could contribute to prevention. Due to the dominant belief that medical interviews are needed for diagnosis, self-assessment questionnaires evaluating such areas could be most helpful when used as screening instruments, as quantitative measures of the extent of eating-connected symptoms, and as indices of treatment effects and advancement. Among the instruments utilized for assessing eating-connected symptoms are Eating Attitudes Test (EAT); the Binge Eating Scale; and the EDI Symptom Checklist. Each instrument has been used in both research and medical settings and has been proven valid and reliable. The EAT was initially constructed to evaluate behaviors and attitudes typical of anorexic people. It not merely differentiates anorexic subjects from control groups but also differentiates bulimic ones from controls.