Factors affecting food addiction in adult women: the effect of depression, body mass index, and body image

Burcu Yeşilkaya,Burcu Ates Ozcan

doi:10.1590/1678-9865202134e200317

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Food addiction, an increasingly prevalent disorder, involves multiple physiological and psychological factors. It is often associated with obesity and psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to determine the main factors affecting food addiction in women. Methods In total, 383 adult women were evaluated using an anamnesis form to record participant demographic information and anthropometric measurements, along with the Yale Food Addiction Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and body perception scale. We created a model according to Beck Depression Inventory, body mass index, age, body perception scale, and marital status, which were thought to influence Yale Food Addiction Scale. Results Mean participant age was 30.13±10.84 years. Food addiction scores of the participants showed significant positive correlations with body weight, body mass index, and depression scores, and significant negative correlations with the body perception scale scores (p<0.05). The results revealed that the Yale Food Addiction Scale score is affected by the Beck Depression Inventory and body mass index. Increase in Beck Depression Inventory and body mass index increased the Yale Food Addiction Scale score by 0.054 and 0.076 units, respectively. Conclusion The main factors affecting emotional eating in women are coexistence of high scores of depression and high body mass index. It is determined that people can have depression, food addiction and obesity at the same time.

Highlights

The concept of addiction to food, chocolates, was first reported in the 1890s [1]
The results revealed that the Yale Food Addiction Scale score is affected by the Beck Depression Inventory and body mass index
It is determined that people can have depression, food addiction and obesity at the same time

Summary

Introduction

The concept of addiction to food, chocolates, was first reported in the 1890s [1]. Overeating has been considered as a form of addiction because it is a prominent cause of obesity. Food addiction is a behavioral addiction that is associated with activation of the brain reward system in humans and animals, characterized by the compulsive consumption of palatable foods. It has been described as clinically significant physical and/or psychological dependence on palatable, high fat, and high sugar foods [2,3]. Cravings for such foods have been defined as “implicit wanting” [3]. The predominant idea is that food addiction can have a similar effect on the brain to that of addictive substances [4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion