sentences:  Generally a referral is recommended if a respondent scores "positively" or meets the "cut off" scores or threshold on one or more criteria.The EAT was developed in response to a National Institute of Mental Health consensus panel that recognized a need for screening large populations to increase early identification of anorexia related symptoms.Additionally, the NIMH wanted a measure that could be used to examine the social and cultural factors involved in the development and maintenance of eating disorders The original version of the EAT was published in 1979, with 40 items each rated on a 6-point likert scale.