Do Disordered Eating Behaviors Have an Effect on Food Addiction?

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between food addiction and uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint, and emotional eating. Methods: We carried out this study with 1168 students (758 girls and 410 boys) studying at 7 different high schools in Ankara, Turkey. We used 3 measures. The first measure part assessed the participants’ demographic characteristics. We used 2 other validated measures, the Yale Food Addiction Scale and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, to assess disordered eating behaviors. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between girls (12.9%) and boys (12%) in terms of food addiction (p = .67). We found that uncontrolled eating (p < .001), cognitive restraint (p = .007), and emotional eating (p < .001) scores were higher in individuals with food addiction (60.50±22.37; 38.39±24.41 and 57.42±28.49 respectively) than those without food addiction (40.17±24.74; 32.36±25.4 and 31.11±29.46 respectively). Furthermore, these eating behaviors increased the risk of food addiction in adolescents [Uncontrolled eating: OR: 1.02 (1.01-1.03); Cognitive Restraint: OR: 1.01 (1.00-1.02); Emotional Eating: OR: 1.016(1.009-1.024)]. Conclusions: Disordered eating behaviors can be seen more frequently among adolescents with food addiction compared to those without. In addition, these eating behaviors can increase the risk of food addiction relatively.