This checklist is designed primarily for individuals who may have an addiction or psychological or physical dependency on food. The scale is oriented toward food addiction issues independent of those specifically associated with bulimia and/or anorexia. If more than five (N=5) statements are selected, the counselor should assume that the client may have a food addiction. Although no cut-off scores have been specified for the Food Addiction Checklist, in general, the higher the number of statements selected, the more likely that the client suffers from a food addiction.

Although designed as a checklist, the counselor can restate or reword each item slightly and ask the client each question verbally. This would allow the checklist to be used as an interview guide instead of as a self-report form.

CIRCLE HERE IF YOUR AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT:

1. I feel pleasure when I am eating.
2. I think about food constantly.
3. I cannot end a meal with food still left on the plate.
4. I often plan for my next meal even before I have finished a meal.
5. Sometimes, I will go on an “eating binge.”
6. I frequently think about my weight.
7. I often continue to eat even when I am full.
8. I have been overweight for significant periods at a time.
9. For me, food is a problem.
10. My food habits have affected my personal relationships.
11. Sometimes, I feel guilty after eating.
12. I frequently try new diets to lose weight.
13. I often get a feeling of “well-being” after eating.
14. I feel “out of control” around food.
15. I sometimes plan my social and work activities around meals.
16. I don’t think much of my physical appearance.
17. I frequently overeat to try and feel satisfied.
18. I get feelings of “withdrawal” when I can’t eat when I want to.
19. Sometimes, I experience stress about my relationship to food.
20. I feel hungry much of the time.
21. I do have emotional attachments to food.
22. I feel unable to stop eating, even after feeling full.
23. Sometimes, I eat when I need emotional comfort.
24. I feel powerless over food.
25. I sometimes choose my friends because we enjoy eating together.
26. There are some foods I particularly crave.
27. I often snack at between meals.
28. I can’t sleep unless I eat something before I go to bed.
29. I have been known to seek out events and opportunities just to eat.
30. I feel deprived if I can’t eat what I want to eat.

Sylvia Kay Fisher is a research psychologist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. She was formerly a therapist who has extensive experience with gay and lesbian clients. Ronnie Fisher is a professor of psychology at Miami-Dade Community College. Previously, he was a social worker and a counselor.

This assessment tool is published in Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, June 2003, v.4, n.3, p. 59

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