Psychometric validation of the full Yale food addiction scale for children 2.0 among adolescents from the general population and adolescents with a history of mental disorder

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveFood addiction is a phenotype characterised by an addiction‐like attraction to highly processed foods. Adolescence is a sensitive period for developing addictive disorders. Therefore, a valid measure to assess food addiction in adolescents is needed. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to establish a categorical scoring option for the full version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children 2.0 (YFAS‐C 2.0), and to psychometrically validate the full YFAS‐C 2.0.MethodThe data stem from the Food Addiction Denmark (FADK) Project. Random samples of 3750 adolescents from the general population aged 13–17 years, and 3529 adolescents with a history mental disorder of the same age were invited to participate in a survey including the full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out and the weighted prevalence of food addiction was estimated.ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis of the YFAS‐C 2.0 supported a one‐factor model in both samples. The weighted prevalence of food addiction was 5.0% in the general population, and 11.2% in the population with a history of mental disorder.ConclusionsThe full version of the YFAS‐C 2.0 is a psychometrically valid measure for assessing clinically significant food addiction in adolescents.