Do you have a friend or family member who’s eating habits concerned you? Maybe you’ve noticed some of your own habits may need evaluating? The Renfrew Center has provided a questionnaire which you may find helpful. Keep in mind, this survey is not a diagnostic tool.

Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:

1. Can you eat when you are hungry and quit when you are satisfied?
2. Do you stop eating because you think you should (as opposed to because your body is satisfied)?
3. Do you make food choices based on foods you enjoy?
4. Do you become physically uncomfortable (such as weak, tired, dizzy, a headache) when you under-eat or diet?
5. Do you feel that your food selections are a combination of “healthy foods” and “pleasurable foods”?
6. Do you have to eat in a certain pattern – always­ three meals a day or always at certain times of the day?
7. Do you trust that if you eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied, you will not get fat?
8. Do you feel guilty when you eat to the point that you are stuffed and uncomfortable?
9. Can you balance the time you give to thoughts about food, weight, and dieting with other important aspects of your life, such as relationships, work and self-development?
10. Do you watch what other people eat and use that to determine what and how much you will eat?
11. Can you leave some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some tomorrow?
12. Do you usually pick foods based on their calorie content?

Scoring:

Add up all the “no” responses to the odd-numbered questions and give 1 point per “no”.

Add up all the “yes” responses to the even-numbered questions and give 1 point per “yes”.

Total both numbers.

Scores from 0-3 indicate a generally healthy attitude towards food and eating.

Scores from 4-8 suggest pressure about appearance and ideas about how much and of what to eat may be negatively affecting self-acceptance and overall happiness. It may be helpful to explore these issues.

Scores from 9-12 suggest more serious food issues, ranging from food obsession to disordered eating. Consider seeking professional assistance to deal with these thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to food and body image.

For more information about food, weight, eating disorders, binge eating disorder, etc. contact Banister Nutrition, LLC at 405-755-7561, the Renfrew Center Foundation at 1-877-367-3383, or the Laureate Eating Disorder Program at 1-888-253-4827. -CB

Reference: The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders