Mia Beck Lichtenstein1, Simone Daugaard Hemmingsen2, René Klinkby Støving3. 1. a Centre for Telepsychiatry, Odense, Region of Southern Denmark, Department of Psychology , University of Southern Denmark , Denmark. 2. b Nutrition Clinic, Centre for Eating Disorders, Odense University Hospital, Psychiatric Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Research Unit of Medical Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Research , University of Southern Denmark , Denmark. 3. c Nutrition Clinic, Centre for Eating Disorders, Odense University Hospital, Psychiatric Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Research Unit of Medical Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Research , University of Southern Denmark , Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eating disorders often develop in adolescence and, therefore, instruments are needed that are useful to detect risk behaviour in young people. The SCOFF is a 5-item screening instrument, named SCOFF as an acronym of keywords from the questions. It has been used widely in adult samples, but studies that evaluate the scale in adolescents are missing. AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the SCOFF in adolescents aged 11-20 years and for the first time validate the questionnaire in Danish. METHODS: A total of 184 adolescents completed the Danish version of the SCOFF and sub-scales from the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-3). The sample consisted of 87 patients (mean age = 16) from a specialized eating disorder department in the Region of Southern Denmark and 97 healthy adolescents (mean age = 17) from Danish primary and high schools. RESULTS: It was found that the reliability of the SCOFF was acceptable, and that cut-off 2 is useful to detect those with potential eating disorder pathology. Item 3 (weight loss) correlated poorly with EDI-3 sub-scales and might be reformulated by addressing the intentionality behind weight loss (due to unhappiness with body) rather than a specific amount of weight loss (1 stone), because this could have somatic reasons. CONCLUSIONS: The SCOFF is a very easily applicable questionnaire, which may fulfil the necessary psychometric properties for detection of ED symptoms in Danish adolescents. Before general screening can be recommended, conditions regarding benefits and potential adverse effects still remain to be addressed.
BACKGROUND:Eating disorders often develop in adolescence and, therefore, instruments are needed that are useful to detect risk behaviour in young people. The SCOFF is a 5-item screening instrument, named SCOFF as an acronym of keywords from the questions. It has been used widely in adult samples, but studies that evaluate the scale in adolescents are missing. AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the SCOFF in adolescents aged 11-20 years and for the first time validate the questionnaire in Danish. METHODS: A total of 184 adolescents completed the Danish version of the SCOFF and sub-scales from the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-3). The sample consisted of 87 patients (mean age = 16) from a specialized eating disorder department in the Region of Southern Denmark and 97 healthy adolescents (mean age = 17) from Danish primary and high schools. RESULTS: It was found that the reliability of the SCOFF was acceptable, and that cut-off 2 is useful to detect those with potential eating disorder pathology. Item 3 (weight loss) correlated poorly with EDI-3 sub-scales and might be reformulated by addressing the intentionality behind weight loss (due to unhappiness with body) rather than a specific amount of weight loss (1 stone), because this could have somatic reasons. CONCLUSIONS: The SCOFF is a very easily applicable questionnaire, which may fulfil the necessary psychometric properties for detection of ED symptoms in Danish adolescents. Before general screening can be recommended, conditions regarding benefits and potential adverse effects still remain to be addressed.
Authors: Mia Beck Lichtenstein; Karen Krogh Johansen; Eik Runge; Marina Bohn Hansen; Trine Theresa Holmberg; Kristine Tarp Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2022-06-20