Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0)

The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0) is a validated 28-item self-report instrument widely used to measure the severity of eating…

Questions: 28
Duration: 15 min
Original title: EDE-Q 6.0 — Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire
Adaptation: Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0)
Authors: Fairburn, C. G. & Beglin, S. J.
Created: 2008

The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0) is a validated 28-item self-report instrument widely used to measure the severity of eating disorder psychopathology. Derived from the gold-standard Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview, this questionnaire captures both the core cognitive-attitudinal features of eating disorders and the frequency of key behavioral symptoms over a precise 28-day timeframe. It is routinely used with both adults and adolescents to support assessment, track treatment response, and monitor post-treatment maintenance, proving invaluable when Recognizing Anorexia Nervosa or other feeding and eating disorders.

Clinically, the EDE-Q 6.0 provides a standardized metric to evaluate distress and impairment across four essential subscales: restraint, eating concern, shape concern, and weight concern. It also isolates specific compensatory and binge eating behaviors, giving clinicians a detailed symptom profile. By establishing a robust baseline, this tool facilitates frank in-session conversations about the maintaining mechanisms of the disorder—similar to discussing the CBT Model of Bulimia Nervosa—and serves as an anchor point to objectively measure progress throughout a therapeutic intervention.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

Overall score

2.863/ 6

A 28-item self-report questionnaire derived from the EDE semi-structured interview (Fairburn & Cooper). It assesses eating disorder psychopathology over the past 28 days across four attitudinal subscales (Restraint, Eating Concern, Shape Concern, Weight Concern) and records the frequency of key behaviors (binge eating episodes with loss of control, self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, compulsive exercise). Used for screening, initial assessment, and symptom monitoring in clinical and research settings, without replacing a clinical diagnosis.

généralefemales · community sample · students · 17–29 years · United Kingdom · n = 851 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

2.863

M = 1.75 ± 1.25

généralemales · community sample · students · 17–30 years · United Kingdom · n = 224 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

2.863

M = 1.16 ± 1.11

généralecommunity sample · gender-expansive individuals (neither cisgender nor binary transgender) · United States · n = 988 · 2020 · Nagata et al. (2020)

2.863

M = 1.76 ± 1.33

cliniquemixed · pathology: Eating disorders · inpatient admission · Germany · n = 2038 · 2024 · Meule et al. (2024)

2.863

M = 3.83 ± 1.42

cliniquemixed · pathology: Anorexia nervosa · Germany · n = 1456 · 2024 · Meule et al. (2024)

2.863

M = 3.77 ± 1.47

cliniquemixed · pathology: Bulimia nervosa · Germany · n = 370 · 2024 · Meule et al. (2024)

2.863

M = 4.1 ± 1.25

cliniquemixed · pathology: Other eating disorders · Germany · n = 212 · 2024 · Meule et al. (2024)

2.863

M = 3.72 ± 1.3

cliniquefemales · pathology: Eating disorders · specialized centers · Norway · n = 620 · 2015

2.863

M = 4 ± 1.32

For information

Cut-off≥ 1.6Positive screening (German population)

Optimal cutoff distinguishing controls from inpatients.

Meule et al. (2024)View the study ↗

Cut-off≥ 2.5Positive screening (Norwegian adults)

Optimal cutoff distinguishing female controls from female patients.

View the study ↗

Cut-off≥ 2.07Bulimia nervosa screening

Optimal cutoff specific to bulimia nervosa.

Meule et al. (2024)View the study ↗

Scoring

Subscale mean scores and global score (mean of the 4 subscales); behavioral items expressed as raw frequency, global score ranging from 0 to 6, each item is rated on a 7-point scale (from 0 to 6).

Shape concerns

3.25/ 6

Preoccupation with and dissatisfaction regarding shape and the body.

items 6, 8, 10, 11, 23, 26, 27, 28

généralefemales · community sample · students · 17–29 years · United Kingdom · n = 851 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

3.25

M = 2.51 ± 1.58

généralemales · community sample · students · 17–30 years · United Kingdom · n = 224 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

3.25

M = 1.69 ± 1.59

généralecommunity sample · gender-expansive individuals (neither cisgender nor binary transgender) · United States · n = 988 · 2020 · Nagata et al. (2020)

3.25

M = 2.58 ± 1.65

Eating concerns

4.4/ 6

Preoccupation, guilt, and loss of control related to eating.

items 7, 9, 19, 20, 21

généralefemales · community sample · students · 17–29 years · United Kingdom · n = 851 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

4.4

M = 1.03 ± 1.11

généralemales · community sample · students · 17–30 years · United Kingdom · n = 224 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

4.4

M = 0.6 ± 0.84

généralecommunity sample · gender-expansive individuals (neither cisgender nor binary transgender) · United States · n = 988 · 2020 · Nagata et al. (2020)

4.4

M = 1.02 ± 1.26

Weight concerns

1.8/ 6

Preoccupation with and dissatisfaction regarding weight.

items 8, 12, 22, 24, 25

généralefemales · community sample · students · 17–29 years · United Kingdom · n = 851 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

1.8

M = 2.1 ± 1.57

généralemales · community sample · students · 17–30 years · United Kingdom · n = 224 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

1.8

M = 1.31 ± 1.39

généralecommunity sample · gender-expansive individuals (neither cisgender nor binary transgender) · United States · n = 988 · 2020 · Nagata et al. (2020)

1.8

M = 2.18 ± 1.63

Dietary restraint

2/ 6

Deliberate dietary restriction and adherence to dietary rules.

items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

généralefemales · community sample · students · 17–29 years · United Kingdom · n = 851 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

M = 1.37 ± 1.34

généralemales · community sample · students · 17–30 years · United Kingdom · n = 224 · 2019 · Carey et al. (2019)

M = 1.05 ± 1.25

généralecommunity sample · gender-expansive individuals (neither cisgender nor binary transgender) · United States · n = 988 · 2020 · Nagata et al. (2020)

M = 1.24 ± 1.49

Frequency of binge eating episodes (items 13–15)

3.667/ 6

Frequency of overeating episodes over the past 28 days (items 13 to 15): number of times an unusually large amount of food was eaten, number of those times accompanied by a sense of loss of control, and number of days on which such episodes (unusually large amount AND loss of control) occurred. Frequencies reported separately — they do not contribute to the global score. Data collected using interval categories in this digital version (the original uses open-ended responses).

items 13, 14, 15

3.667

Purging behaviors (vomiting, laxatives)

1.5/ 6

Frequency of compensatory purging behaviors over the past 28 days (items 16 and 17): self-induced vomiting and laxative misuse for the purpose of controlling shape or weight. Frequencies reported separately — they do not contribute to the global score. Data collected using interval categories in this digital version (the original uses open-ended responses).

items 16, 17

1.5

Compulsive exercise

3/ 6

Frequency of "driven" or compulsive physical exercise over the past 28 days (item 18), performed to control weight, shape, or body fat, or to burn calories. Frequency reported separately — it does not contribute to the global score. Data collected using interval categories in this digital version (the original uses open-ended responses).

items 18

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What the test measures

The EDE-Q 6.0 evaluates the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral features of eating disorders through a comprehensive clinical lens. It yields a global score representing overall severity, alongside four targeted subscales and specific frequency counts.

Dietary restraint: Attempts to restrict food intake, prolonged fasting, and strict adherence to food rules to influence weight or shape, core features seen in Anorexia Nervosa.
Eating concern: Preoccupation with food, fear of losing control over eating, secretive eating, and guilt related to food consumption.
Shape concern: Dissatisfaction with body shape, body checking or avoidance, and the disproportionate influence of shape on self-evaluation.
Weight concern: Dissatisfaction with body weight, intense desire to lose weight, and the impact of weight on self-worth.
Behavioral frequencies: The occurrence of objective binge eating, self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, and compulsive exercise, which are critical when Recognizing Bulimia Nervosa.

This instrument is intended for adults and adolescents presenting with suspected or diagnosed eating pathology, including subclinical manifestations or Binge Eating Disorder.

When and why to use it

Clinicians integrate the EDE-Q 6.0 into practice to support structured assessment, track therapeutic progress, and facilitate collaborative case conceptualization.

Intake baseline: To systematically map the patient's symptom profile across cognitive distortions and behavioral frequency, establishing a clear starting point for treatment.
Treatment monitoring: To track symptom reduction session by session, making changes in restraint or shape concern visible, much like using a structured Weekly Behavioral Review.
Symptom screening: To identify clinically elevated cognitive eating pathology and prompt deeper evaluation of specific compensatory behaviors, distinct from broader Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Relapse prevention: To monitor early warning signs of symptom return during the maintenance phase, ensuring timely clinical support.

A validated score offers a standardized, objective metric that anchors clinical impressions, ensuring that shifts in entrenched cognitive patterns—which patients may minimize—are accurately tracked over time.

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The questions

On how many of the past 28 days …
1. Have you deliberately tried to limit the amount of food you ate to influence your shape or weight (whether you succeeded or not)?
Evaluates intentional efforts to restrict food intake to modify body weight or shape.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
2. Have you gone for long periods (8 waking hours or more) without eating anything to influence your shape or weight?
Assesses the engagement in prolonged fasting as a weight or shape control strategy.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
3. Have you tried to exclude certain foods you like from your diet to influence your shape or weight (whether you succeeded or not)?
Probes the intentional avoidance of preferred foods to influence body metrics.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
4. Have you tried to follow specific rules about your eating (e.g., a calorie limit) to influence your shape or weight (whether you succeeded or not)?
Explores the use of rigid dietary rules, such as strict calorie limits.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
5. Have you had a specific desire to have an empty stomach to influence your shape or weight?
Measures the specific drive to maintain an empty stomach.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
6. Have you had a specific desire to have a completely flat stomach?
Evaluates the intensity of the desire to achieve a completely flat stomach.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
7. Has thinking about food, eating, or calories made it very difficult for you to concentrate on things you were interested in (e.g., working, following a conversation, or reading)?
Assesses how much food-related rumination impairs daily concentration.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
8. Has thinking about your shape or weight made it very difficult for you to concentrate on things you were interested in (e.g., working, following a conversation, or reading)?
Evaluates the cognitive burden of shape or weight preoccupation on focus and attention.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
9. Have you had a genuine fear of losing control over your eating?
Probes the anticipatory anxiety related to losing control over food intake.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
10. Have you had a genuine fear of gaining weight?
Measures the intensity of the fear surrounding potential weight gain.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
11. Have you felt fat?
Assesses the subjective, distressing sensation of feeling overweight.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
12. Have you had a strong desire to lose weight?
Explores the strength of the drive toward weight loss.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
Please provide the number of episodes over the past 28 days.
13. Over the past 28 days, how many times have you eaten what other people would consider an unusually large amount of food (given the circumstances)?
Quantifies the occurrence of objective episodes involving unusually large amounts of food.
- 0
- 1
- 2 to 3
- 4 to 7
- 8 to 12
- 13 to 27
- 28 or more
14. During how many of these episodes did you feel you had lost control over your eating?
Determines the frequency of perceived loss of control during episodes of overeating.
- 0
- 1
- 2 to 3
- 4 to 7
- 8 to 12
- 13 to 27
- 28 or more
Please provide the number of days over the past 28 days.
15. Over the past 28 days, on how many DAYS have such episodes of overeating occurred (i.e., you ate an unusually large amount of food AND had a sense of having lost control at the time)?
Captures the number of distinct days marked by objective binge eating episodes.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
Please provide the number of episodes over the past 28 days.
16. Over the past 28 days, how many times have you made yourself vomit to control your shape or weight?
Quantifies the frequency of self-induced vomiting as a compensatory behavior.
- 0
- 1
- 2 to 3
- 4 to 7
- 8 to 12
- 13 to 27
- 28 or more
17. Over the past 28 days, how many times have you taken laxatives to control your shape or weight?
Assesses the frequency of laxative misuse for shape or weight control.
- 0
- 1
- 2 to 3
- 4 to 7
- 8 to 12
- 13 to 27
- 28 or more
18. Over the past 28 days, how many times have you exercised in a 'driven' or 'compulsive' way to control your weight, shape, body fat, or to burn calories?
Measures the frequency of compulsive or driven exercise aimed at burning calories or controlling shape.
- 0
- 1
- 2 to 3
- 4 to 7
- 8 to 12
- 13 to 27
- 28 or more
The following questions are concerned with the past four weeks (28 days) only. Please read each question carefully. Please answer all the questions. Thank you. Please note that for questions 19 to 21 the term "binge eating" means eating what others would regard as an unusually large amount of food for the circumstances, accompanied by a sense of having lost control over eating.
19. Over the past 28 days, on how many days have you eaten in secret (i.e., furtively)? Do not count binge eating episodes.
Probes the frequency of eating secretly due to shame or distress, independent of binge episodes.
- No days
- 1 to 5 days
- 6 to 12 days
- 13 to 15 days
- 16 to 22 days
- 23 to 27 days
- Every day
Over the past 28 days …
20. On what proportion of the times you have eaten have you felt guilty (felt you had done wrong) because of the effect on your shape or weight? Do not count binge eating episodes.
Evaluates the prevalence of post-eating guilt linked to weight or shape concerns.
- Never
- A few times
- Less than half the time
- Half the time
- More than half the time
- Most of the time
- Every time
The following questions are concerned with the past four weeks (28 days) only. Please read each question carefully. Please answer all the questions. Thank you. Please note that for questions 19 to 21 the term "binge eating" means eating what others would regard as an unusually large amount of food for the circumstances, accompanied by a sense of having lost control over eating.
21. Over the past 28 days, how concerned have you been about other people seeing you eat? Do not count binge eating episodes.
Assesses social eating anxiety and the discomfort of being observed while eating.
- Not at all concerned
- 1
- Slightly concerned
- 3
- Moderately concerned
- 5
- Markedly concerned
Over the past 28 days …
22. Has your weight influenced the way you perceive (judge) yourself as a person?
Measures the degree to which body weight dictates overall self-worth.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
23. Has your shape influenced the way you perceive (judge) yourself as a person?
Measures the degree to which body shape influences global self-evaluation.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
24. How upset would you have been if you were asked to weigh yourself once a week (no more, no less) for the next four weeks?
Explores the emotional distress anticipated from structured, weekly weigh-ins.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
25. How dissatisfied have you been with your weight?
Assesses the overall severity of dissatisfaction with current body weight.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
26. How dissatisfied have you been with your shape?
Evaluates the depth of dissatisfaction regarding current body shape.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
27. How uncomfortable have you felt seeing your body (e.g., seeing your shape in a mirror, in a shop window reflection, when undressing, or when taking a bath or shower)?
Probes the experiential discomfort of seeing one's own body.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly
28. How uncomfortable have you felt about others seeing your shape or body (e.g., in communal changing rooms, when swimming, or wearing tight-fitting clothes)?
Assesses the social anxiety and discomfort surrounding body exposure to others.
- Not at all
- 1
- Slightly
- 3
- Moderately
- 5
- Markedly