The Anorectic Behavior Observation Scale 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 however does not 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".

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

• Body Attitudes Test
  Body Attitudes Test
  The Body Attitudes Test was developed by Probst et al. in 1995. It was designed for the assessment of eating disorders in women. The BAT measures an individual's subjective body experience and attitudes towards one's own body it differentiates between clinical and non-clinical subjects and between...
  
  
• Body Attitudes Questionnaire
  Body Attitudes Questionnaire
  The Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire is a 44 item self-report questionnaire divided into six subscales that measures a woman's attitude towards their own body. The BAQ is used in the assessment of eating disorders. It was devised by D.I. Ben-Tovim and M.K...
  
  
• SCOFF questionnaire
  SCOFF questionnaire
  The SCOFF questionnaire utilizes an acronym in a simple five question test devised for use by non-professionals to assess the possible presence of an eating disorder. It was devised by Morgan et al. in 1999. The original SCOFF questionnaire was devised for use in the United Kingdom, thus the...
  
  
• Eating Disorder Inventory
  Eating Disorder Inventory
  The Eating Disorder Inventory is a self-report questionnaire used to assess the presence of eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa both restricting and binge-eating/purging type; Bulimia Nervosa; and Eating disorder not otherwise specified including Binge Eating Disorder...
  
  
• Diagnostic classification and rating scales used in psychiatry
  Diagnostic classification and rating scales used in psychiatry
  The following diagnostic systems and rating scales are used in psychiatry and clinical psychology.-Diagnostic Criteria:*Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders *ICD-10 Chapter V: Mental and behavioural disorders...