5
Screening for Disordered Eating in Patients With Obesity
➤ While routine screening for eating disorders is not recommended
for the general population, targeted screening in obesity medicine
is essential. Patients with obesity are at increased risk for
disordered eating, especially BED, which affects approximately 3%
of US adults and up to 50% of those with class III obesity. Bulimia
nervosa (approximately 3%) and NES (approximately 5%) are more
prevalent in patients with obesity.
➤ Screening should be considered for patients reporting:
• Episodes of uncontrolled eating
• Rapid weight changes
• Body image distress
• Weight cycling
• Secretive eating
• Vomiting, laxative use, or diuretic use for weight control
Validated Nutritional Assessment Screening Tools
Tool Purpose Notes
Malnutrition Screening
Tool (MST)
Malnutrition risk Quick, two-question
tool
Malnutrition Universal
Screening Tool (MUST)
BMI, weight loss,
effect of acute
illness
Used in primary and
community care
Eating Assessment for
Participants – Short
Form (REAP-S)
Diet quality
assessment
Brief screen for weekly
dietary habits
Mediterranean Diet
Adherence Screener
(MEDAS)
Mediterranean
diet adherence
14-item questionnaire,
validated for chronic
disease
Mini-Eating Assessment
Tool (Mini-EAT)
Overall diet score Recently validated brief
dietary screener
