Eating
Eating check
5 questions · 1 min
This is a short, well-known set of five questions that doctors use to spot possible eating difficulties early. It asks about things like feeling out of control around food, making yourself sick, and how much food and weight take up your thoughts.
It’s a quick first check, not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t pick up every kind of eating difficulty. If something here feels familiar, talking to someone you trust or a doctor is a good next step.
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What it shows
Whether you have some common warning signs of eating difficulties.
What it doesn’t
A diagnosis. Only a professional can assess an eating disorder.
Who it’s for
This check may be useful if food, eating or weight have been taking up a lot of your thoughts, if you’ve felt out of control around food, or if someone close to you has said they’re worried about you.
It’s also fine to take it just to check in with yourself. It’s very short, there are no right or wrong answers, and you can stop at any point.
Questions people ask
What does SCOFF stand for?
The name comes from key words in the five questions: Sick, Control, One stone, Fat and Food. One stone is a British measure of weight, about 6 kilos or 14 pounds.
How is the SCOFF scored?
Each “yes” counts as one point, giving a score from 0 to 5. A score of 2 or more suggests it would be worth talking to someone about eating and weight.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It’s a quick first check, and only a professional can assess an eating disorder. It doesn’t pick up every kind of eating difficulty, so if you’re worried, it’s worth talking to someone whatever your score.
What should I do if my score is 2 or more?
A doctor or an eating-disorder support service can help you talk this through, in confidence and without judgement. Talking to someone you trust can be a good first step too.
Who developed the SCOFF?
It was developed by John Morgan, Fiona Reid and Hubert Lacey at St George’s Hospital in London in 1999.
What if I’m struggling right now?
If you might hurt yourself, call your local emergency number now. You can find free, confidential helplines in your country at findahelpline.com.
Where it comes from
Developed by John Morgan, Fiona Reid and Hubert Lacey at St George’s Hospital in London in 1999.
SCOFF questionnaire
On iPhone or iPad?
Sprout is an app there too, and this link opens the test straight away if you have it.
Coming soon to the App Store