Assessment: Might You Have an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are fairly common in the United States. Although statistics vary, up to 3.7 percent of young women are believed to be anorexic, and about 2 to 3 percent may have bulimia. It can be very hard to recognize an eating disorder, and even harder to admit it to yourself and ask for help. However, anorexia (starving) and bulimia (binging usually accompanied by purging) can cause very serious health problems, and the sooner you ask for help, the better your chances of a full recovery.

Take our questionnaire to see if you might benefit from talking to a doctor or counselor about your weight and eating habits.

1. Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?

Yes
No

2. Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?

Yes
No

3. Have you recently lost more than 14 pounds in a 3-month period?

Yes
No

4. Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?

Yes
No

5. Would you say that food dominates your life?

Yes
No

First published Mar 26, 2002

Last updated Oct 21, 2008

Copyright � 2002 Consumer Health Interactive, a CVS Caremark company

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Medical Review Board and Editorial Team