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ARE YOU FLIRTING WITH AN EATING DISORDER?

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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.

Do you: (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?

SCORING:

Each answer of always is worth 2 points, and each answer of sometimes 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.

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

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.