EDDS: Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS-5) Scoring

The EDDS (Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale) is a brief self-report questionnaire that applies diagnostic criteria to give probable diagnoses of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, along with an overall symptom composite. The current DSM-5 version, the EDDS-5, has 23 items.

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

The EDDS (Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale) is a brief self-report questionnaire that returns probable diagnoses of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder plus a symptom composite; the DSM-5 version has 23 items 1 5.

What does the EDDS measure?

The EDDS measures whether a person's self-reported symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for three eating disorders 1 5:

Items cover body image, eating habits and compensatory behaviours over roughly the past 3 to 6 months 5. The EDDS-5 updates the original scale for DSM-5 changes 5, and its scoring includes low-frequency forms of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder 4.

It does not assess pica, rumination disorder or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder 5.

How do you give the EDDS?

  • Format. The EDDS-5 has 23 self-report items, mixing yes/no, rating and frequency questions, and height and weight 5 4.
  • Time. No more than about 15 minutes 5.
  • Who completes it. The client, on paper or on screen; a clinician reviews the probable diagnoses.
  • Access. PhenX lists the EDDS-5 as freely available with permission not required for use 5; the developers' page at the Oregon Research Institute asks users to email the team for the scale.
  • Approach. Ask about weight and eating without judgment, and explain that the results guide a follow-up conversation.

How do you score and interpret the EDDS?

  1. Probable diagnoses. Run the answers through the scoring algorithm, which checks them against the diagnostic criteria for each disorder (for example, binge eating needs the episode, loss of control and the required frequency) 4.
  2. Symptom composite. Combine the symptom items into the overall composite; higher scores mean more eating disorder symptoms 1.
  3. Read as a profile. The result is a set of probable diagnoses plus a continuous composite, not one total with bands, so this page shows no band table.
  4. Composite cutoff. In one clinical study, a composite of 16.5 separated women in eating disorder treatment from students 3. Treat it as a single-study figure.
  5. Confirm. Follow any probable diagnosis with a clinical interview.

Psychometric properties

  • Original study. In 367 women with and without eating disorders, EDDS diagnoses were stable over time (mean κ 0.80) and agreed with interview diagnoses (mean κ 0.83). The symptom composite had test-retest r 0.87 and mean α 0.89 1.
  • Further studies. Four studies supported its agreement with interview diagnoses and internal consistency; it was sensitive to the effects of prevention programs and predicted later onset of eating pathology and depression 2.
  • Clinical sample. In 59 Dutch women in eating disorder treatment and 45 students, the EDDS showed good test-retest reliability, internal consistency and agreement with the Eating Disorder Examination interview 3.
  • EDDS-5 in veterans. In 343 veterans, 166 of whom were interviewed, the EDDS-5 items were internally consistent, but even after scoring modifications sensitivity against a structured interview was very low 4.

Limitations

  • Probable, not confirmed. The EDDS gives self-reported probable diagnoses; a clinical interview is needed.
  • Mixed evidence for the EDDS-5. Strong agreement in early studies of women 1 did not carry over to a diverse veteran sample, where many cases were missed 4.
  • Item wording. In veterans, the item asking whether binge episodes are very upsetting under-identified binge eating disorder 4.
  • Narrow coverage. No ARFID, pica or rumination disorder 5; for ARFID patterns use the NIAS.
  • Related measures. For severity over time use the EDE-Q; for brief screening the SCOFF or EAT-26; for binge eating severity the BES.

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

Measuring progress with clients?

  • HiBoop sends validated measures such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 by email or QR code, scores them on submission and charts each client's results over time.

    Start tracking scores

Related

FAQ

  • What is the EDDS?

    The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) is a brief self-report questionnaire developed by Stice, Telch and Rizvi in 2000. It applies diagnostic criteria to a person's answers to give probable diagnoses of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and an overall symptom composite. The DSM-5 version, the EDDS-5, has 23 items.

  • How is the EDDS scored?

    The EDDS is scored two ways. A scoring algorithm checks the answers against the diagnostic criteria for each disorder and returns probable diagnoses. Separately, the symptom items are combined into an overall symptom composite, where higher scores mean more eating disorder symptoms. There is no single total with severity bands.

  • Does the EDDS diagnose eating disorders?

    It gives probable, self-reported diagnoses, not clinical diagnoses. In the original study its diagnoses agreed well with interviews, but a 2024 study in veterans found the EDDS-5 missed many interview-confirmed cases. Confirm any probable diagnosis with a clinical interview.

  • Does the EDDS screen for ARFID?

    No. The EDDS-5 covers anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. It does not assess pica, rumination disorder or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID); for ARFID eating patterns, use a dedicated measure such as the NIAS.

References

    1. 1.Stice E, Telch CF, Rizvi SL. Development and validation of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale: a brief self-report measure of anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Psychol Assess. 2000;12(2):123-131.
    2. 2.Stice E, Fisher M, Martinez E. Eating disorder diagnostic scale: additional evidence of reliability and validity. Psychol Assess. 2004;16(1):60-71.
    3. 3.Krabbenborg MA, Danner UN, Larsen JK, et al. The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale: psychometric features within a clinical population and a cut-off point to differentiate clinical patients from healthy controls. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2012;20(4):315-320.
    1. 4.Maguen S, Batten A, Siegel SE, et al. Validation of the EDDS-5 self-report survey against the SCID-5 diagnostic interview in US veterans. Eat Behav. 2024;52:101846.
    2. 5.PhenX Toolkit. Protocol: Eating Disorder Screener for DSM-5 (EDDS-5). RTI International.

  • EDDS © Eric Stice and colleagues. The PhenX Toolkit lists the EDDS-5 as freely available, with permission not required for use; the developers' page at the Oregon Research Institute asks users to email Paul Rohde or Sonja Yokum for access.

HiBoop does not offer this scale. This page is reference material.

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