Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3)

Eating Disorder Inventory™-3 (EDI™-3) David M. Garner, PhD

• Purpose: Provides a standardized clinical evaluation of symptomatology associated with eating disorders
• Age Range: Adolescent, Adult, Elder Adult
• Adminstration: Individual or group
• Time: 20 minutes

The EDI-3 is a revision of one of the most widely used self-report measures of psychological traits or constructs shown to be clinically relevant in individuals with eating disorders–the EDI-2. This new version is a standardized and easily administered measure yielding objective scores and profiles that are useful in case conceptualization and treatment planning for individuals with a confirmed or suspected eating disorder. It also is a valuable research tool for assessing areas of psychopathology, identifying meaningful patient subgroups, and assessing treatment outcome. It can be completed in a relatively brief period of time and may be administered either individually or in a group setting.

The EDI-3 has been significantly enhanced to provide scales and composites for measuring constructs that are more consistent with the psychological domains identified as relevant to eating disorders by modern theories. The item set from the original EDI, as well as items from the 1991 revision (EDI-2), have been carefully preserved so that clinicians and researchers can continue to compare data collected previously with data from the revised EDI-3.

The EDI-3 consists of 91 items organized onto 12 primary scales, consisting of 3 eating-disorder-specific scales and 9 general psychological scales that are highly relevant to, but not specific to, eating disorders. It also yields six composites: one that is eating-disorder specific (i.e., Eating Disorder Risk) and five that are general integrative psychological constructs (i.e., Ineffectiveness, Interpersonal Problems, Affective Problems, Overcontrol, General Psychological Maladjustment).

Normative Groups

The EDI-3 provides normative information for females with eating disorders who are ages 13-53 years. All normative protocols were collected in various outpatient and inpatient settings. Normative information is provided for the following DSM-IV-TR™ diagnostic groups: (a) Anorexia Nervosa-Restricting type; (b) Anorexia Nervosa-Binge-Eating/Purging type; (c) Bulimia Nervosa; and (d) Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified.

Reliability and Validity

The Eating Disorder Risk Composite reliability ranges from .90-.97 (median = .94) across the four diagnostic groups and the three normative groups. For the three Eating Disorder Risk scales, all reliabilities are generally in the high .80s to low .90s across the normative groups. Additionally, the reliabilities for the Psychological scales and composites are high; the overall General Psychological Maladjustment Composite range from .93-.97 across the three normative groups. With one exception, all of the other composite reliabilities are in the .80s-.90s for the normative samples.

Overall, the test-retest stability coefficients are excellent. The Eating Disorder Risk Composite coefficient is .98 and the General Psychological Maladjustment Composite coefficient is .97. The median test-retest coefficients for the Eating Disorder Risk scales and the Psychological scales are .95 and .93, respectively.

For the Eating Disorder Risk scales, the Drive for Thinness and Body Dissatisfaction scales are highly correlated (.96 and .97, respectively) with their EDI-2 counterparts for both the U.S. adult and adolescent clinical samples. The Professional Manual shows the relationships with a broad range of external instruments, and presents factor-analytic data that provides the internal structure of the EDI-3.

EDI-3 Symptom Checklist (EDI-3 SC)

The EDI-3 SC is an independent and structured self-report form. This form is easy to complete and provides data regarding frequency of symptoms (i.e., binge eating; self-induced vomiting; exercise patterns; use of laxatives, diet pills, and diuretics). Detailed information regarding the symptom areas assessed by the EDI-3 SC is necessary for determining whether patients meet the formal diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder.

New! EDI-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF)

The EDI-3 RF is an abbreviated form of the EDI-3 and includes the three scales that compose the Eating Disorder Risk Composite (i.e., Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Body Dissatisfaction). In addition to the 25 EDI-3 questions, this brief self-report form includes behavioral symptom questions to identify individuals with potential eating disorders or pathology. Referral indexes are used to identify individuals who have or are at risk for eating disorders. These indexes are based on the individual\’s body mass index (BMI) only; on BMI plus EDI-3 questions about excessive eating concerns; and on the responses given to behavioral questions pertaining to eating-disorder pathology. A separate manual, the EDI-3 Referral Form Manual, is available for use with the EDI-3 RF to help identify individuals who are at risk for eating disorders.

What\’s New in the EDI-3?

• Easily administered and scored, the EDI-3 yields 12 nonoverlapping scale scores and 6 composite scores that can be used to create clinically meaningful profiles that can be linked to treatment plans, specific interventions, and treatment monitoring.

• The EDI-3 now has clinical norms for adolescents in addition to U.S. adult and international adult clinical norms. It also provides multisite nonclinical comparison samples.

• The new EDI-3 Referral Form (EDI-3 RF) can be administered in clinical settings as well as high schools, colleges, athletic programs, or other nonclinical settings to assist in determining if an individual should be referred for a professional evaluation. A new EDI-3 Referral Form Manual provides information on the administration, interpretation, and scoring of the EDI-3 RF.

• The new, expanded EDI-3 Professional Manual includes extensive clinical interpretive guidelines with detailed case examples.

• The new, easy-to-use T-Score and Percentile Profile Forms include critical item sets that allow for the development of a more meaningful clinical picture.

• The EDI-3 Symptom Checklist (EDI-3 SC) assists with the systematic gathering of symptom data that can aid in determining if the DSM-IV-TR™ diagnostic criteria are met.

• The EDI-3 demonstrates excellent reliability and validity.

• The EDI-3 uses a 0-4 point scoring system that improves the reliabilities of some scales and yields a wider range of scores.

• A new computer-based scoring program, the EDI™-3 SP, generates a detailed clinical profile and scoring report for each client.

EDI-3 Introductory Kit includes EDI-3 Professional Manual, EDI-3 Referral Form Manual, 25 Item Booklets, 25 Answer Sheets, 25 Percentile/T-Score Profile Forms, 25 Symptom Checklists, and 25 Referral Forms.