Eating Disorders — Screening Tools

Two Screening Tools exist for eating disorders; a “Yes” response is abnormal, except as indicated.  The questions give you an idea of what to inquire about during history-taking.  I prefer to combine (2) & (5) of the first, with (1-3) of the second:

SCOFF

  1. Do you make yourself Sick because you feel too full?
  2. Do you worry you’ve lost Control over how much you eat?
  3. Have you recently lost over One stone (14#) in a 3-month period?
  4. Do you believe you’re Fat when others say you’re too thin?
  5. Would you say that Food dominates your life?

ESP (Eating disorder Screen for Primary Care)

  1. Are you satisfied with your eating patterns? (“No” = abnormal)
  2. Do you ever eat in secret?
  3. Does your weight affect how you feel about yourself?
  4. Have any family members had an eating disorder?
  5. Have you ever had an eating disorder, or do you now?

SCOFF found that 2 “yes” responses had 100% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity.  The ESP people found sensitivity & specificity of 100% and 71%, but also analyzed SCOFF to be lower (78% and 88%).

If you use the SCOFF as written, paraphrase the “one stone” questions, please.