ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the diversity of eating problems that are seen in primary care and describes methods that psychologists can use to assess and monitor these problems. It also provides guidelines for decision-making about discriminating between problems that can be addressed in the primary care setting or that require referral to longer term outpatient therapy and/or specialty medical/psychiatric services. Primary care psychologists are trained to address a wide range of mental and behavioral health concerns, including eating- and weight-related issues. Eating behavior is influenced by a range of biological, psychological, and social factors. The chapter describes screening measures for disordered eating. It reviews the existing measures and discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of each in the primary care setting, although more research is needed to determine whether these or other instruments best suit the needs of primary care psychologists.
