Anorectic Behavior Observation Scale

The Anorectic Behavior Observation Scale (ABOS) is a thirty-item diagnostic questionnaire devised to be answered by the parents, spouse or other family member of an individual suspected of having an eating disorder. It was developed by Vandereyken et al. in 1992. The questions address three factors: unusual eating behavior, bulimic-type behavior and hyperactivity. The ABOS does not, however, address the frequency of the observed behavior.

Scoring

The ABOS is scored on a range of from 0-60. There are three possible answers provided per question, each assigned a numerical value: two points for "yes", zero for "no", and one for "don't know".

Versions

German

The validity of the German-language version of ABOS was tested with 101 female eating disorder patients, 80 with anorexia nervosa and 21 with bulimia nervosa. A control group of 121 persons with matching age and socio-economic backgrounds completed the ABOS. It was deemed that the German-language version may be useful in the diagnosis of eating disorders.

Japanese

The validity of the Japanese-language version of ABOS was tested with 101 family members of eating disorder patients completing the questionnaire. Cross-cultural differences were noted as compared to the original Belgian version; however, the Japanese-language version of the ABOS may still be useful in the diagnosis of eating disorders.

EAQP

The Eating and Activity Questionnaire for Parents (EAQP) is a short form of the ABOS utilizing 10 items from the original. The EAQP is utilized as a screening tool of parents' assessment of their child's eating behavior.

See also

• Binge Eating Scale
• Body Attitudes Test
• Body Attitudes Questionnaire
• Diagnostic classification and rating scales used in psychiatry
• Eating Attitudes Test
• Eating Disorder Inventory
• SCOFF questionnaire