BES
Binge Eating Scale (BES)
The BES is a 16-item self-report questionnaire designed to identify and quantify the severity of binge eating symptoms. It explores both the behavioral manifestations of binge episodes and the associated cognitive and emotional experiences, such as loss of control, guilt, shame, or preoccupation with food. Originally developed in adults with obesity, it is now widely used in clinical psychology, psychiatry, nutrition, and bariatric surgery programs. Its main value lies in screening for clinically significant binge eating, estimating baseline severity, and monitoring progress during treatment.
- Number of questions
- 16 questions
- Estimated duration
- 5 minutes
- Language
- English
- Original name
- Binge Eating Scale
- Target audience
- Adults
- Authors
- J. Gormally, S. Black, S. Daston, D. Rardin (1982)
- Category
- Eating disorders
Scoring & interpretation
Each item offers 3 or 4 statements ranked by increasing severity. The patient chooses only one statement per item. Responses are weighted from 0 to 2 or from 0 to 3 depending on the item, then summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 46. The usual interpretation is as follows: 0 to 17, no or minimal binge eating; 18 to 26, moderate level; 27 and above, severe level. In practice, a total score greater than or equal to 18 suggests clinically significant binge eating and warrants further clinical assessment. Interpretation focuses mainly on the total score rather than on subscores.
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