How can you tell if you or a friend might have an eating disorder? British researchers have devised a simple five-question test, which indicates if you have a problem. Simply answer yes, or no to these questions:
1. Do you make yourself Sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
2. Do you worry you have lost Control over how much you eat?
3. Have you recently lost Over fourteen pounds in a 3 month period?*
4. Do you believe yourself to be Fat when others say you are too thin?
5. Would you say that Food dominates your life?
This simple five-question test is known as the SCOFF questionnaire. Each of these letter represents one of five key questions: Sick, Control, Over*, Fat, and Food. Note the original "O" represented the British weight measurement, one-stone, which is equivalent to 14 pounds. The original question was, "Have you recently lost more than One stone in a 3 month period?, which I translated to "Over 14 pounds."
The SCOFF screening tool was developed by researchers at St. George's Hospital Medical School in London and the link to the free full text of this study is below in the Links and Resources section (Morgan et al).
If you answered "yes" to any two or more of these questions indicates that you likely have an eating disorder. Eating disorders are complex and life-threatening. Early detection helps you get better, sooner, and with fewer complications.
Links and Resources
Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). AED is the international source for state-of-the-art information and whose members compromise multidisciplinary professionals from around the world.
Morgan JF, Reid F, and Lacey JH. The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders. BMJ 1999;319:1467-1468
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). This organization supports individuals and families, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care
