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Eating Concerns Quiz

Should You Be Concerned?
Developed by HUHS Clinician, Margaret S. McKenna, MD

Ask yourself the following questions, answering each one by checking:
Always (A), Often (O), Sometimes (S) or Never (N). 

Always (A), Often (O), Sometimes (S) or Never (N) A O S N
1. Do you think about food constantly, so that you feel controlled and defined by it?        
2. Do you eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, feeling as if you can’t stop?        
3. Do you think you are overweight, but other people tell you that you are too thin?        
4. Is your weight/shape the most important factor in how you feel about yourself?        
5. If you eat one cookie, do you condemn yourself, conclude the day is ruined, and then eat the whole box?        
6. Do you keep a running count of calories or grams of fat in your head throughout the day?        
7. Do you eat (or not eat) without knowing whether you are hungry or full?        
8. Are you convinced that if you gain one pound you’ll continue gaining indefinitely?        
9. Do you avoid social events because you’re afraid to deal with the food there?        
10. Do you find it difficult or impossible to eat in front of other people?        
11. Do you exercise specifically in an effort to burn off fat or calories?        
12. Do you make yourself vomit after eating or use laxatives or diuretics believing that these methods of purging will control your weight?        
13. Do you severely restrict your food intake, in part to lose weight but in part to feel in control or in some way special?        


Scoring
If you answered “Often” or “Always” to questions 12 or 13, or to three of the other questions, it would make sense to talk with a psychotherapist, physician, nurse practitioner, or nutritionist who is experienced in working with people with eating concerns and eating disorders.

It would also make sense to talk with a professional if you resonate with the issues raised by these questions and want to talk about them or if you think someone you know has an eating disorder and are concerned about what your role and responsibility regarding that person should be.

Eating disorders are serious conditions which compromise one's health and well-being and which can result in death. People do recover from eating disorders, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to recover by willpower or resolve alone. Someone with an eating disorder needs and deserves help and support.