In plain words
The SCOFF questionnaire is a short set of five yes-or-no questions used to screen for eating disorders. The name comes from the key words in its questions. It covers self-induced vomiting, feeling out of control over eating, recent weight loss, a belief about being fat when others say otherwise, and food dominating a person's life. Two or more yes answers suggest a closer look. In pregnancy, a positive screen is a reason to talk with the care team, because restriction and purging can affect nutrition and the baby. The tool does not diagnose anyone. A mother may be asked these questions at a prenatal visit. Clinicians pair the screen with a full history and their own judgment.
The deeper version
The SCOFF questionnaire (Morgan, Reid and Lacey, BMJ 1999) is a five-item screen for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Its items cover self-induced vomiting, loss of control over eating, weight loss of more than one stone (14 lb) in a three-month period, a perceived fatness despite others' views, and food dominating life. Two or more positive answers is the usual threshold. In the original validation the tool showed high sensitivity against structured clinical interview. Its performance in pregnancy and the postpartum period has been studied less. A positive screen is followed by a structured clinical interview and is not treated as a diagnosis in itself.
Where it comes up
- Your changing body and how you feel about itPregnancy: Mind and Life
- Eating before you conceiveBefore Pregnancy
- Weight gain in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about SCOFF questionnaire
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Sources
- Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH — The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders. BMJ 1999