The ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and momentary food addiction symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the ecological validity of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0) with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and explored the internal consistency and convergent validity of a momentary food addiction scale. METHOD: Adults (N = 49) who met criteria for binge-eating disorder and/or food addiction (age = 34.9 ± 12.1 years; 77.1% cisgender female; 55.1% non-Hispanic White) completed online questionnaires and a 10-day EMA protocol. Analyses examined (a) associations between the YFAS 2.0 and EMA-measured variables corresponding to food addiction criteria, (b) reliability of a momentary food addiction scale (EMA-FA), and (c) concurrent associations between EMA-FA and EMA-measured negative affect, impulsivity, eating expectancies, body satisfaction, consumption of palatable food, and taste response to palatable food. RESULTS: YFAS scores were associated with EMA-reported variables corresponding to food addiction criteria (ps < .045). The multilevel reliability for EMA-FA was adequate (ω = .75-.94). Individuals with higher EMA-FA scores reported greater negative affect, impulsivity, appetite, palatable food consumption, taste response to palatable food, and contrary to expectations, greater body satisfaction (ps < .01). Within-person effects emerged for EMA-FA predicting higher negative affect, impulsivity, likelihood of palatable food consumption, more pleasurable taste responses after consuming palatable foods, yet lower body satisfaction, appetite, and eating expectancies (ps < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Results support the ecological validity of the YFAS 2.0, and additional evidence of convergent validity and internal consistency was demonstrated for a momentary food addiction scale. This assessment of the psychometric properties of the YFAS will ultimately further its utility and relevance in the study and diagnosis of food addiction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Characterizing the Course of Loss of Control Eating and Prognostic Factors Following Bariatric Surgery: an Exploratory Analysis.

PURPOSE: Postoperative loss of control eating (LOCE) has detrimental associations with weight outcomes and mental health following bariatric surgery. However, little is known regarding LOCE course following surgery and preoperative factors that predict remittance, continuance, or development of LOCE. The present study aimed to characterize LOCE course in the year following surgery by identifying four groups: individuals with (1) postoperative de novo LOCE, (2) maintained LOCE (endorsed at pre- and post-surgery), (3) remitted LOCE (endorsed only at pre-surgery), and (4) those who never endorsed LOCE. Exploratory analyses examined group differences in baseline demographic and psychosocial factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 adult bariatric surgery patients completed questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment at pre-surgery and 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative follow-ups. RESULTS: Results showed that 13 (21.3%) never endorsed LOCE prior to or after surgery, 12 (19.7%) developed LOCE after surgery, 7 (11.5%) evidenced remittance from LOCE after surgery, and 29 (47.5%) maintained LOCE prior to and after surgery. Relative to those who never endorsed LOCE, all groups who evidenced LOCE before and/or after surgery reported greater disinhibition; those who developed LOCE reported less planned eating; and those with maintained LOCE reported less satiety sensitivity and greater hedonic hunger. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of postoperative LOCE and need for longer-term follow-up studies. Results also suggest a need to examine the longer-term impact of satiety sensitivity and hedonic eating on LOCE maintenance, and the extent to which meal planning may buffer risk for de novo LOCE following surgery.