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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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The SCOFF questionnaire is a short, internationally validated screening instrument for identifying eating-disorder risk. It asks five direct questions about behaviours and perceptions related to food, body weight and control. By focusing on core clinical indicators rather than lifestyle factors, it offers a straightforward snapshot of potential concerns needing deeper evaluation.

You answer “Yes” or “No” to each prompt. The tool converts every “Yes” into one point, totals the score, then compares it with clinical cut-offs stored entirely in your browser. A live charting layer and colour tags immediately reveal whether your pattern is below the threshold or signals a positive screen that warrants professional review.

A student concerned about recent weight change might complete the screen during a study break to gauge whether self-perceived habits merit further exploration. It takes under a minute yet offers valuable perspective. Scores should support, not replace, attentive self-reflection and conversations with trusted clinicians. This assessment does not diagnose medical conditions; always seek qualified care for persistent worries.

Technical Details:

Concept Overview

The SCOFF screen operationalises key diagnostic markers for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa into five binary items. Validation studies across diverse populations show sensitivities above 80 percent when a cut-off of two affirmative answers is applied. Because each item targets a distinct behavioural or cognitive symptom, the aggregate score, though simple, captures multidimensional risk without lengthy interviews. Clinical adoption by primary-care providers relies on its brevity, high negative predictive value, and free licensing, making it suitable for community awareness campaigns and self-administered checks.

Core Equation

Score = ∑ i=1 5 responsei
  • responsei – 1 when the answer to item i is “Yes”, otherwise 0.
  • Score ranges from 0 to 5.

Interpretation Bands

Score RangeScreen Result
0 – 1Negative
2 – 5Positive

A positive result indicates clinically relevant risk and should prompt formal evaluation by a qualified professional.

Variables & Parameters

  • responsei – individual answer, Boolean.
  • Total score – sum of affirmative responses.
  • Threshold – fixed at two “Yes” answers.

Worked Example

Inputs: Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes.

Intermediate: 1 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 1 = 3.

Output: Score = 3 – Positive screen; professional assessment advised.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Applies to adolescents and adults; paediatric norms differ.
  • Binary answers may oversimplify nuanced experiences.
  • Cut-off of two assumes typical cultural context.
  • Self-report bias can lower specificity.

Edge Cases & Error Sources

  • All items unanswered returns no score.
  • Customary units unfamiliar to some users.
  • Recent major illness can distort weight-loss item.
  • Misinterpretation of “food dominates life” in athletes.

Scientific Validity & References

Based on Morgan et al. (1999) original publication and subsequent validation studies in BMJ, JAMA Psychiatry, and the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Privacy & Compliance

No personal data leaves your device; processing complies with GDPR principles for local data handling.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Complete the assessment in logical order; each response updates the score instantly.

  1. Open the tool in a modern browser.
  2. Read the brief instructions and initiate the questionnaire.
  3. Select Yes or No for each of the five statements.
  4. Watch the progress indicator to track completion.
  5. Review your total score and the accompanying colour-coded result.
  6. If the screen is positive, consider scheduling a professional consultation.

FAQ:

Why only five questions?

The items capture the most predictive behavioural and cognitive markers of common eating disorders, keeping completion time under one minute.

Who created SCOFF?

The questionnaire was developed by healthcare researchers led by Janet Morgan in the United Kingdom and has since been internationally validated.

Is my data stored?

No. All calculations happen locally in your browser; nothing is transmitted or saved beyond the active session.

Can it diagnose?

No. The screen indicates risk level only. A definitive diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation by qualified professionals.

How often to retake?

Retest only when circumstances change—such as rapid weight fluctuations or intensified body-image concerns—to avoid unnecessary anxiety.

Glossary:

SCOFF
Mnemonic for five screening items.
Positive screen
Score of two or more “Yes” answers.
Binary item
Question allowing only Yes/No reply.
Eating disorder
Mental-health condition involving disordered eating.
Threshold
Cut-off score separating risk categories.