Development of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale Version 2.0

The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) operationalizes indicators of addictive‐like eating, originally based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition Text Revision (DSM‐IV‐TR) criteria for substance‐use disorders. The YFAS has multiple adaptations, including a briefer scale (mYFAS). Recently, the YFAS 2.0 was developed to reflect changes to diagnostic criteria in the DSM‐5. The current study developed a briefer version of the YFAS 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) using the participant sample from the YFAS 2.0 validation paper (n = 536). Then, in an independent sample recruited from Mechanical Turk, 213 participants completed the mYFAS 2.0, YFAS 2.0, and measures of eating‐related constructs in order to evaluate the psychometric properties of the mYFAS 2.0, relative to the YFAS 2.0. The mYFAS 2.0 and YFAS 2.0 performed similarly on indexes of reliability, convergent validity with related constructs (e.g. weight cycling), discriminant validity with distinct measures (e.g. dietary restraint) and incremental validity evidenced by associations with frequency of binge eating beyond a measure of disinhibited eating. The mYFAS 2.0 may be an appropriate choice for studies prioritizing specificity when assessing for addictive‐like eating or when a briefer measurement of food addiction is needed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137291/1/erv2515.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137291/2/erv2515_am.pd

Belief in Food Addiction and Obesity-Related Policy Support

ObjectivesThis study examines whether belief in the food addiction construct is associated with support for obesity-related policies (e.g., restrictions on foods served in schools and workplace cafeterias, subsidies on fruits and vegetables), while simultaneously examining other factors associated with policy support (e.g., political party affiliation).DesignCross-sectional.SettingOnline Community.Participants200 individuals were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk.MeasurementsParticipants (n = 193) responded to three questions about belief in food addiction and a measure evaluating support for 13 obesity-related policy initiatives. Individuals also completed the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS), self-reported height and weight, and provided demographic information (age, gender, race, political party affiliation).ResultsBelief in food addiction was significantly associated with greater support for obesity-related initiatives, even when accounting for the significant associations of age, gender, and political party. Belief in food addiction and political party both had moderate effect sizes for predicting support for obesity-related policy. There was an interaction between age and belief in food addiction, with significant associations with policy support for both younger and older individuals, though the effect was larger for younger participants.ConclusionThe current study provides evidence that belief in food addiction is associated with increased obesity-related policy support, comparable to the influence of one’s political party. Growing evidence for the role of an addictive process in obesity may have important implications for public support of obesity-related policy initiatives

Individual differences in striatum activity to food commercials predict weight gain in adolescents

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109559/1/oby20882.pd

Experimental and observational studies on alcohol use and dietary intake: a systematic review

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153599/1/obr12950_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153599/2/obr12950.pd

Maternal nicotine dependence is associated with longitudinal increases in child obesogenic eating behaviors

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152014/1/ijpo12541.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152014/2/ijpo12541_am.pd

Weight‐Related Differences in Salience, Default Mode, and Executive Function Network Connectivity in Adolescents

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156135/2/oby22853.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156135/1/oby22853_am.pd

Social, clinical, and policy implications of ultra-processed food addiction

Key messages Ultra-processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and added fats are highly rewarding, appealing, and consumed compulsively and may be addictive Behaviours around ultra-processed food may meet the criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder in some people •   Ultra-processed food addiction is estimated to occur in 14% of adults and 12% of children and is associated with biopsychological mechanisms of addiction and clinically significant problems Understanding of these foods as addictive could lead to novel approaches in the realm of social justice, clinical care, and policy approache

Food addiction and its relationship with other eating behaviours among Spanish university students

BackgroundFood addiction (FA) is characterised by symptoms such as loss of control over food consumption, inability to reduce consumption despite the desire to do so, and continued consumption despite negative consequences. The modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) is a widely used instrument to assess FA.ObjectivesTo validate the Spanish mYFAS 2.0; to analyse the relationships between FA with other eating behaviours, sociodemographic variables, and Body Mass Index (BMI); and to test the eating-related variables that account for the variance in FA.MethodsThe sample consisted of 400 university students (M-age = 24.16, SDage = 6.12; 51% female), who completed the mYFAS 2.0 and measures of eating-related constructs.ResultsA confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the one-factor structure of the mYFAS 2.0. The scale showed good internal consistency (alpha = .78), and good convergent validity with the mYFAS. FA was related to eating styles, binge eating, and bulimia. No differences in FA were observed between males and females, and there was no association between FA and BMI. In addition, younger participants scored higher on FA than older participants. The eating-related variables explain 54.7% of the variance in FA.ConclusionsThe mYFAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable scale to assess FA in the Spanish population. The positive and significant relationship of variables related to eating (eating styles, binge eating and bulimia) with FA was demonstrated. These variables were indicated by those at high risk of FA. Plain English summaryFood addiction (FA) is characterised by excessive and dysregulated intake of high-calorie foods. Loss of control over food consumption, inability to reduce consumption, and continued consumption despite negative consequences are some of its symptoms. The modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) is a brief instrument specifically developed to assess FA. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish mYFAS 2.0; (2) to analyse the relationships between FA with other eating behaviours, sociodemographic variables, and Body Mass Index (BMI); and (3) to test whether there are certain dietary variables that may be positively related to FA. We were able to provide evidence that the mYFAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable scale for assessing FA in the Spanish population. The positive and significant relationship of eating-related variables (eating styles, binge eating and bulimia) with FA was demonstrated. These variables can be considered to identify subgroups at high risk of FA

Food addiction and lifetime alcohol and illicit drugs use in specific eating disorders

Background and aims: Food addiction (FA) and substance use (SU) have frequently been reported in patients with eating disorders (EDs). Our study aimed to assess the prevalence rates of FA and/or lifetime problematic alcohol and illicit drug use among patients with specific ED, such as: bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED). We sought to identify clinical, psychopathological, and personality profiles involved in these addictive behavior-based phenotypes. Methods: The total sample was 527 patients (176 BN, 115 BED, and 236 OSFED). FA was assessed through the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. To determine lifetime SU, a semi structured clinical interview was carried out. Results: Patients with BN had the highest rates of FA both with and without SU. No gender differences were obtained for the prevalence of current FA and/or lifetime SU. Patients reporting at least one addictive-related behavior exhibited increased clinical severity compared to those who reported none. Increased impulsivity (such as high lack of premeditation, sensation seeking, and positive urgency) and low self-directedness were differentiating factors for presenting one or two addictive behaviors. Discussion and Conclusions: Overall, patients presenting with at least one addictive-like behavior reported a poorer clinical status than those without. Also, patients with FA and SU exhibited a more dysfunctional profile characterized by high impulsivity and low selfdirectedness. These findings would support the need for targeted treatments to reduce impulsivity and increase self-directedness, especially in patients with any addictive-related behavior, as a step towards improving their treatment outcome