The prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among higher education students as assessed by the SCOFF questionnaire
Depending on the study, eating disorder symptoms occur in approximately 10–25 per cent of higher education students. This study examined the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms assessed by the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) eating disorder screen, which consists of five questions, in Finnish university and polytechnic students (65.3% women, 34.7% men). Based on the SCOFF screening points, the participants were divided into two groups. In addition, the prevalence of eating disorders was assessed by finding out what proportion of students reported that they have a doctor-diagnosed eating disorder that has had symptoms or required treatment during the past year. The data used in the study (n = 3110) is part of the 2016 Finnish Student Health Service’s (FSHS) nationwide health survey of higher education students. 10.3 per cent of the respondents belonged to the eating disorder risk group as assessed by the SCOFF questionnaire. In addition, 1.3 per cent of the respondents reported that they have an eating disorder diagnosed by a doctor. Women, polytechnic students and those with a higher body mass index were found to have more symptoms of eating disorders. Eating disorder symptoms were not found to be associated with age.