Which screening tool is designed to identify eating disorders?

• A. SCOFF screening tool
• B. Papanicolaou (Pap) test
• C. Menstrual cycle analysis
• D. Cervical cancer exam

Answer: (A)

The SCOFF screening tool is a validated questionnaire specifically designed to identify the presence of eating disorders. It consists of five simple questions that address common symptoms and behaviors associated with disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The acronym SCOFF stands for the questions that target concerns regarding weight, feeling out of control regarding eating, and experiences of body dissatisfaction, among others. A positive response to two or more questions indicates a significant likelihood of an eating disorder, prompting further assessment and intervention.

In contrast, the other options do not serve the purpose of screening for eating disorders. The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is a cervical cancer screening that detects precancerous changes in cervical cells. Menstrual cycle analysis and cervical cancer exams also focus on reproductive health and do not assess eating disorders. Therefore, the SCOFF tool is specifically tailored for identifying issues related to eating behaviors and is the appropriate choice for this question.