Assessment of eating disorders: interview or self-report questionnaire?

Int J Eat Disord. 1994 Dec;16(4):363-70.

Abstract

A detailed comparison was made of two methods for assessing the features of eating disorders. An investigator-based interview was compared with a self-report questionnaire based directly on that interview. A number of important discrepancies emerged. Although the two measures performed similarly with respect to the assessment of unambiguous behavioral features such as self-induced vomiting and dieting, the self-report questionnaire generated higher scores than the interview when assessing more complex features such as binge eating and concerns about shape. Both methods underestimated body weight.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Height
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*