Psychological differences in food addiction and binge eating in non-clinical population

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of food addiction (FA) and binge eating (BE) in a nonclinical population, to explore the differences between these constructs, and to examine psychological differences among individuals with any disordered eating pattern (FA, BE, and FA+BE groups). Participants aged 18 to 55 completed the questionnaires: Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), Binge Eating Scale (BES), The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Life Events Checklist, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), Short Impulsive Behaviour Scale (SUPPS-P), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Out of 2123 records, 492 participants met the criteria for FA, BE, or both diagnoses. The present study showed that FA and BE symptoms are common in the general population. The FA, BE and FA+BE groups differed from the control group with respect to the YFAS score, BES score, BMI, negative urgency, restrained eating, emotional eating, depression, anxiety, stress, ACE, PCL, and LEC scores. On all those scales, participants with at least one eating disorder achieved significantly higher scores. The FA+BE group presented the most severe pattern of behavioral and emotional symptoms, followed by the FA group and then the BE group with the least amount of symptoms. This study supports the operationalization of food addiction. FA is a broader concept than BED, with individuals experiencing both indicating the greatest functional difficulties. Trauma-related experiences frequently accompanied the symptoms, providing insight into disordered eating mechanisms. Future research should include the treatment implications of food addiction for BE patients.