Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0) — Nutrition and Diet Assessment
Likert items evaluating attitudes, food acceptance, internal regulation and contextual skills.
The Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0) is a validated self-report tool used in Nutrition and Diet research and practice to evaluate eating attitudes, food acceptance, internal regulation, and contextual skills. This ecSI 2.0 assessment helps people and health professionals measure eating competence — the positive, flexible, and sustainable approach to eating that supports nutritional health, weight-related outcomes, and mealtime satisfaction.
Designed for both clinical and community settings, this Nutrition and Diet quiz uses simple Likert items to capture behaviors and beliefs across four core domains. Completing the Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0) provides a numeric score that can guide individualized recommendations, track progress over time, and inform conversations about eating patterns, food variety, and meal planning.
I feel positive and relaxed about eating most of the time.
Measures your general attitude toward eating and mealtimes.
I enjoy planning and preparing regular meals for myself or my household.
Assesses engagement with meal preparation and its role in eating competence.
I am willing to try unfamiliar foods or new preparations of familiar foods.
Evaluates openness to food variety and willingness to expand food choices.
I include a variety of foods from different groups in my meals.
Captures the diversity of foods consumed in your typical eating patterns.
I am able to stop eating when I feel satisfied, even if food is still available.
Assesses use of internal hunger and fullness cues to regulate intake.
I pay attention to my hunger and fullness while eating.
Measures mindful awareness of physiological signals during meals.
I have a regular pattern of meals (for example, breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days).
Assesses meal structure and regularity as part of contextual eating skills.
I plan meals and snacks ahead of time so I have food available when I need it.
Evaluates practical meal planning and food availability skills.
I feel comfortable choosing foods without worrying excessively about dieting rules.
Measures freedom from rigid dieting rules and flexibility in food choices.
When I can't find a food I prefer, I can choose an acceptable alternative without distress.
Assesses flexibility in food preferences and adapting when preferred choices are unavailable.
I eat when I am hungry and stop when I feel comfortably full, across different situations.
Assesses consistency of internal regulation in various contexts.
I prepare or choose foods that satisfy my hunger and nutritional needs most days.
Measures ability to select and prepare satisfying meals that meet needs.
Children or household members (if applicable) are offered a variety of foods and encouraged to try them.
For caregivers: assesses modeling and support for food acceptance; for individuals, indicates family meal context.
I feel competent choosing and preparing foods that fit my lifestyle and preferences.
Assesses confidence and competence in everyday food decisions.
When I overeat, I can usually get back to my usual eating pattern without guilt or extreme restriction.
Assesses resilience and adaptive responses after eating more than intended.
I make time to eat meals without rushing whenever possible.
Evaluates the ability to create mealtime routines that support mindful eating.
Frequently asked questions
The Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0) is a validated questionnaire developed to measure eating competence across four domains: attitudes toward eating, food acceptance, internal regulation, and contextual skills. It is used by researchers, clinicians, and individuals interested in Nutrition and Diet to assess and improve eating behaviors.
Each item uses a Likert response scored from 0 to 3 (Rarely/Never = 0 to Always = 3). The results_function sums the numeric values of all answers to produce a total score. Higher totals indicate greater eating competence. The maximum possible score for the 16-item version is 48.
Scores are typically grouped into ranges indicating low, moderate, or high eating competence. For example, total scores of 0–15 suggest low eating competence, 16–32 indicate moderate competence, and 33–48 reflect high eating competence. Use the results_description recommendations to identify areas for improvement.
No. The ecSI 2.0 is a screening and self-assessment tool intended to inform conversations about eating behaviors. It is not a diagnostic test. For personalized nutrition, medical, or psychological advice, consult a registered dietitian, physician, or qualified healthcare professional.
Retake the inventory every 3–6 months or after targeted interventions (such as counseling, a mindful eating program, or meal-planning efforts) to monitor progress. Regular reassessment helps track changes in attitudes, food acceptance, internal regulation, and contextual skills.
Yes. Several items relate to meal structure and offering a variety of foods, which are relevant for caregivers. The inventory can help parents and caregivers reflect on how household routines and modeling may influence children’s eating competence.
Practical steps include establishing regular meal times, practicing mindful eating to become more attuned to hunger and fullness, gradually trying new foods to expand acceptance, planning simple balanced meals, and reducing rigid dieting rules. Working with a dietitian experienced in the Satter approach can provide individualized strategies.
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