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Updated: May 10, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
[Validation of the Eating Attitudes Test as a screening instrument for eating disorders in general population]
María Angeles Peláez-Fernández1, Pedro Manuel Ruiz-Lázaro2, Francisco Javier Labrador3
1Departamento de Psicología Social, Antropología Social, Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España.
Background And Objective:
To validate the best cut-off point of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Spanish version, for the screening of eating disorders (ED) in the general population.
Material And Method:
This was a transversal cross-sectional study. The EAT-40 Spanish version was administered to a representative sample of 1.543 students, age range 12 to 21 years, in the Region of Madrid. Six hundred and two participants (probable cases and a random sample of controls) were interviewed.
Results:
The best diagnostic prediction was obtained with a cut-off point of 21, with sensitivity: 88.2%; specificity: 62.1%; positive predictive value: 17.7%; negative predictive value: 62.1%.
Conclusions:
Use of a cut-off point of 21 is recommended in epidemiological studies of eating disorders in the Spanish general population.
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