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Factor Structure and Item Analysis of the Yale Food Addiction Scale in Obese Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
Author(s) -
Meule Adrian,
Heckel Daniela,
Kübler Andrea
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2189
Subject(s) - food addiction , addiction , internal consistency , psychology , clinical psychology , scale (ratio) , disordered eating , obesity , eating disorders , psychiatry , psychometrics , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Converging research suggests phenomenological and neurobiological similarities between excessive food consumption and addictive behaviour in substance dependence. Recently, the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) has been proposed for the assessment of addictive eating behaviour. The German version of the YFAS was administered to obese individuals seeking bariatric surgery ( N = 96). Factor structure, internal consistency, and item statistics were analysed. Forty participants (41.70%) received a food addiction diagnosis. The one‐factorial structure of the YFAS, which has been found in non‐clinical samples, could be confirmed. All but three items had factor loadings >.50. Internal consistency was α = .82. Item analysis revealed that items related to unsuccessful attempts to cut down and consumption despite physical and emotional problems were endorsed by the majority of participants. Findings support the use of the YFAS in clinical populations, while applicability of some items differs between clinical and non‐clinical samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.