SCOFF Eating Disorder Screening Questionnaire
An internationally recognized 5-question clinical screening tool designed to identify the risk of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa).
Free · No registration or payment
Calculation
Do you make yourself sick (vomit) because you feel uncomfortably full?
The result updates as you change the fields. Your data never leaves the browser.
Only upon clicking, current data is sent to generate the PDF and is not stored.
How it is calculated
The tool contains 5 binary (Yes/No) questions reflecting key diagnostic criteria: self-induced vomiting, loss of control, rapid weight loss, distorted body image, and food preoccupation.
Formula
Total SCOFF Score = Number of affirmative answers (0–5). A score of ≥ 2 indicates a positive screen and high risk of an eating disorder.
Limits of the method
The SCOFF questionnaire is exclusively an initial screening tool. It does not establish a definitive medical diagnosis and requires clinical evaluation by an ED specialist.
Sources of the method
This calculation is for reference only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a prescription. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, take medication or have any doubts, discuss the result with a physician or a qualified nutrition professional.
How to Complete the SCOFF Questionnaire
Read each of the 5 questions carefully
Reflect on your habitual eating behaviors, body image feelings, and relationship with food over recent months.
Answer Yes or No honestly
Provide candid answers without rationalizing behaviors or minimizing personal distress.
Review your screening result
Learn whether your responses suggest clinical risk and examine recommended next steps.
Representative SCOFF Profiles
No Clinical ED Risk Detected
Healthy relationship with food without compensatory behaviors, body distortion, or loss of control.
Isolated Food Concern
Single affirmative response (such as occasional worry about food control or dieting preoccupation).
High Clinical ED Risk
Multiple affirmative answers indicating compensatory behaviors, body distortion, and intense food preoccupation.
Etiology and Somatic Consequences of Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious neurobiological conditions with severe somatic risks (electrolyte disturbances, cardiac arrhythmias, osteoporosis, and endocrine collapse). Early detection radically improves recovery outcomes.
Overcoming Stigma and Seeking Support
Feelings of shame and secrecy often delay seeking care for years. Modern multidisciplinary treatment (CBT-E, medical nutrition therapy, psychiatry) enables full recovery.
SCOFF Scoring Interpretation
| Score | Screening Status | Clinical Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 1 | Negative (Low Risk) | No clinical ED signs detected. Maintain healthy eating habits. |
| 2 – 5 | Positive (High Risk) | Specialized assessment by an eating disorder clinician is indicated. |
Developed by Morgan J.F. et al. (BMJ, 1999). Endorsed by NICE and APA guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive SCOFF result indicate?
A score of 2 or higher suggests a high probability of an underlying eating disorder and warrants an evaluation by a mental health professional.
Is this test an official clinical diagnosis?
No. The SCOFF is a screening triage instrument. A formal diagnosis requires clinical diagnostic interviews (such as EDE) and medical assessments.
What steps should I take if my score is 2 or higher?
Contact a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, a clinical psychologist, or an adolescent/adult psychiatrist for a comprehensive consultation.
Can SCOFF detect binge eating disorder (BED)?
SCOFF was primarily developed for anorexia and bulimia. For binge eating and subtle food relationship patterns, the DEBQ and mYFAS 2.0 offer greater specificity.
Is weight loss always a required sign of an eating disorder?
No. Individuals with bulimia nervosa or atypical anorexia may maintain a normal or elevated body mass index while experiencing severe clinical symptoms.
Related calculators
Complete the DEBQ eating behavior questionnaire and the IES-2 intuitive eating scale for comprehensive profiling.
Other calculators
Psychology and eating behavior
- Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)
- Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9 Depression)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7)
- Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
- Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)
- Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2)
- Yale Food Addiction Scale mYFAS 2.0
- Eating Behavior Diagnostic Wizard
- All calculators →
What next
Formula breakdowns, biomarker reference ranges and nutrition articles with cited sources are in the NutriFit knowledge base.
Go to the knowledge base