THE USE OF THE EATING DISORDER EXAMINATION WITH CHILDREN - A PILOT-STUDY

Objective: This article describes the use of a slightly modified versi on of the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE) in children. Methods: Six teen children aged between 7 and 14 years attending an eating disorder s clinic over a 5-month period were recruited to the study. The two ma in modifications to the EDE were (A) the inclusion of a sort task to a ssess overvalued ideas about weight and shape and (B) the reformulatio n of certain items to assess intent rather than actual behavior. The e xisting EDE scoring system was used, resulting in item, subscale, and global scores. Results: Of the 16 children (10 F 6 M), 11 had a diagno sis of anorexia nervosa, and 5 of eating disorder not otherwise specif ied (EDNOS). There were interesting differences in responses on items assessing core overvalued ideas, with weight and/or shape concerns eme rging as of great importance in terms of self-evaluation in the majori ty of children with anorexia nervosa. Discussion: Results suggest that this may be a useful assessment tool in children, with some children obtaining global and subscale scores consistent with adult norms for f emales with eating disorders. Problems of the administration of the ED E to this patient group are discussed and details of the modifications used are outlined. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.