What is the SCOFF Questionnaire?

The SCOFF is a brief screening questionnaire designed to identify people who may have eating disorders. The name SCOFF is an acronym derived from the five key questions that make up the tool.

Who developed it and when?

Developed by John Morgan and colleagues in 1999 at St. George's Hospital Medical School in London.

What type of assessment is it?

Brief self-report screening questionnaire suitable for use in primary care and general population screening.

What does it assess?

• Sick - Making yourself sick (vomiting) because you feel too full
• Control - Worry about losing control over eating
• One stone - Recently lost more than one stone (14 lbs) in a 3-month period
• Fat - Believing yourself to be fat when others say you are thin
• Food - Food dominates your life

How many items and what format?

5 items, with simple yes/no responses.

How is it scored?

Each "yes" answer scores 1 point. A score of 2 or more suggests a possible eating disorder and warrants further assessment.