ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

What screening tool is used to assess a client's risk for disordered eating?

1. PHQ-9

2. GAD-7

3. SCOFF questionnaire

4. TEIQue

The correct answer is: SCOFF questionnaire

The SCOFF questionnaire is a well-established screening tool specifically designed to identify potential disordered eating behaviors. It comprises five simple questions that focus on key symptoms commonly associated with eating disorders, such as concerns about eating, loss of control over eating, and the impact of weight on self-esteem. The SCOFF acronym stands for Sick (do you make yourself sick?), Control (do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?), One (have you recently lost more than one stone (14 pounds) in a three-month period?), Fat (do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?), and Food (would you say food dominates your life?). This questionnaire is particularly effective because it is easy to administer and can be utilized by various healthcare professionals to quickly assess a client’s risk. If clients answer affirmatively to a certain number of the questions, it suggests a higher risk for disordered eating patterns, warranting further evaluation. In contrast, the other tools mentioned serve different purposes. For instance, the PHQ-9 is primarily used for assessing depressive symptoms, while the GAD-7 is designed for anxiety screening. The TEIQue measures emotional intelligence, which is not directly related to assessing eating behaviors or disorders.