Validation of an Arabic version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0

Background: The Yale Food Addiction Scale [YFAS] is the gold standard for assessment of food addiction based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM]. To keep up with the DSM-5 update, the YFAS 2.0 was published in early 2016.

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Aims: We conducted the present study to translate, adapt and validate the DSM-5 Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 for use with Arabic speakers.

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Methods: Both the final YFAS 2.0-A, developed with a rigorous methodology, and the English YFAS 2.0 were completed by 236 Egyptian medical students fluent in English and Arabic. Three weeks later, the YFAS 2.0–A was readministered to all participants.

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Results: Cronbach's alpha for the YFAS 2.0–A was 0.89. The 3-week intraclass correlation coefficients for diagnosis and symptom scores were 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. Weighted kappa statistics ranged from 0.66 to 0.95 [P < 0.001].

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Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the Arabic YFAS 2.0-A is a reliable tool, and that it is valid for use as equivalent to the English YFAS 2.0 in the investigation of food addiction among Arabic-speaking populations.