Introduction

The Eating Disorder Examination Interview (EDE) devised by Cooper & Fairburn (1987) is a semi-structured interview conducted by a clinician in the assessment of an eating disorder.

Outline

The EDE is a semi-structured interview conducted by a trained clinician to assess the psychopathology associated with the diagnosis of an eating disorder. The EDE is rated through the use of four subscales and a global score. The four subscales are:

1. Restraint.
2. Eating concern.
3. Shape concern.
4. Weight concern.

The questions concern the frequency in which the patient engages in behaviours indicative of an eating disorder over a 28-day period. The test is secured on a 7-point scale from 0-6. With a zero score indicating not having engaged in the questioned behaviour.

EDE-Q

The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) was adapted from the EDE. The EDE-Q is a 41 item self-report questionnaire. It retains the format of the EDE including the 4 subscales and global score. It also concerns behaviours over a 28-day time period and retains the scoring system of 0-6, with:

• 0 indicating no days;
• 1 = 1-5 days;
• 2 = 6-12 days;
• 3 = 13-15 days;
• 4 = 16-22 days;
• 5 = 23-27 days; and
• 6 = every day.

Reference

Cooper, Z. & Fairburn, CG (1987). The Eating Disorder Examination: A Semistructured Interview for the Assessment of the Specific Psychopathology of Eating Disorders”. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 6, pp.1-8. doi:10.1002/1098-108x(198701)6:1<1::aid-eat2260060102>3.0.co;2-9.