Eating disorders (medically recognized diseases) are a peril to life and health. The term "Eating Disorder" is collective for three types of disorder manifestations: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating. The underlying similarities in each case are the obsession or pre-occupation concerning food and/or body image.

The following test will help you decide if you have an eating disorder, or if you are at risk of developing one. Answer always, sometimes or never for each question below.

		Sometimes	Always	Never
1.	Hate the idea of gaining even one pound?	______	______	______
2.	Exercise exclusively to burn calories?	______	______	______
3.	Feel that your stomach should be completely flat?	______	______	______
4.	Think about food most of the time?	______	______	______
5.	Go on eating binges?	______	______	______
6.	Feel bloated after meals?	______	______	______
7.	Feel you need to diet rigorously?	______	______	______
8.	Think about the fat on your body?	______	______	______
9.	Feel anxious after eating high-carbohydrate food like bread, pasta and potatoes?	______	______	______
10.	Weigh yourself more than once a day?	______	______	______
11.	Avoid eating, even when you're hungry?	______	______	______
12.	Take pride in being able to control your eating impulses?	______	______	______
13.	Feel frightened of eating with friends and/or family?	______	______	______
14.	Feel guilty after eating?	______	______	______
15.	Feel uncomfortable after eating sweets?	______	______	______
16.	Feel dissatisfied with the shape of your body?	______	______	______
17.	Eat or drink in secrecy?	______	______	______
18.	Have to eat the same food every day?	______	______	______
19.	Hate to have food in your stomach?	______	______	______
20.	Avoid social situations that require eating?	______	______	______

Each check mark in the "Always" column is worth 2 points, and each mark in the "Sometimes" column is worth 1 point. There are NO points for "Never" responses. Add up the points for all twenty questions to find your total score and then compare it to the figures below.

People with eating disorders can be helped, but almost always professional help is needed to get back on track. If you suspect you might be suffering from an eating disorder, see your physician or a qualified mental health professional to prevent medical or psychological problems.

0 - 4 points: Not weight preoccupied	5 - 14 points: Weight preoccupied
15 - 24 points: Weight concerned	25 - 40 points: "anorecticlike" thinking