SCOFF

The SCOFF questionnaire is a simple and effective screening tool used to identify individuals who may have eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. It was developed in the United Kingdom and is widely used due to its brevity and ease of administration. The name “SCOFF” comes from the initials of the questions it includes.

The SCOFF questionnaire consists of five questions:

  1. S: Do you make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
  2. C: Do you worry you have lost Control over how much you eat?
  3. O: Have you recently lost more than One stone (14 pounds or 6.35 kilograms) in a 3 month period?
  4. F: Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?
  5. F: Would you say that Food dominates your life?

Each “yes” answer scores one point. A score of two or more suggests a possible eating disorder that warrants further investigation.

Key Features of SCOFF:

  • Brevity and Simplicity: It consists of only five questions, making it quick and easy to administer in various settings, including primary care, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare environments.
  • Screening Tool: It is important to note that SCOFF is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. A high score on the SCOFF questionnaire suggests that a more thorough clinical evaluation is needed to determine if an eating disorder is present.
  • High Sensitivity: While it is a brief tool, the SCOFF questionnaire has a high sensitivity for detecting eating disorders, meaning it is good at identifying individuals who have these conditions.
  • Broad Application: The SCOFF questionnaire can be used with adolescents and adults and is not limited by gender or specific type of eating disorder.

Limitations:

  • While SCOFF is useful as an initial screening tool, it is not comprehensive and may not identify all individuals with eating disorders.
  • It does not replace a full psychiatric or medical evaluation, which is necessary to make a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder.

In summary, the SCOFF questionnaire is a valuable tool for quickly screening for the possible presence of eating disorders, but positive results should be followed up with a more comprehensive assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.

Two extra questions add sensitivity

  1. Are you Satisfied with your eating patterns
  2. Do you eat in Secret

Full version

  1. Sick ie vomit
  2. Control
  3. One stone
  4. Fat
  5. Food dominates
  6. Satisfied
  7. Secret