An examination of the food addiction construct in obese patients with binge eating disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Yale food addiction scale (YFAS) in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and explored its association with measures of eating disorder and associated psychopathology.


METHODS
Eighty-one obese treatment-seeking BED patients were given the YFAS, structured interviews to assess psychiatric disorders and eating disorder psychopathology, and other pathology measures.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution with an excellent fit. Classification of "food addiction" was met by 57% of BED patients. Patients classified as meeting YFAS "food addiction" criteria had significantly higher levels of depression, negative affect, emotion dysregulation, eating disorder psychopathology, and lower self-esteem. YFAS scores were also significant predictors of binge eating frequency above and beyond other measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The subset of BED patients classified as having YFAS "food addiction" appear to represent a more disturbed variant characterized by greater eating disorder psychopathology and associated pathology.
Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. Ashley.gearhardt@yale.edu
Ashley N
AN
Gearhardt
Marney A
MA
White
Robin M
RM
Masheb
Peter T
PT
Morgan
Ross D
RD
Crosby
Carlos M
CM
Grilo
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires