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Food Addiction Problems in College Students: The Relationship between Weight-Related Variables, Eating Habits, and Food Choices

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  • Sónia Gonçalves

    (Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Sílvia Félix

    (Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Filipa Martins

    (Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Olívia Lapenta

    (Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Bárbara C. Machado

    (Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH), Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4150-268 Porto, Portugal)

  • Eva M. Conceição

    (Psychology Research Center (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

The concept of food addiction, characterized by a strong urge to overeat highly palatable foods, has gained increased research attention over the last decade. College students are a recognized risk group for manifesting an eating pathology and weight gain due to the changes in eating habits experienced during this period. However, there is a gap in the literature connecting food addiction with eating and weight variables in this population. Thus, the present study aims to characterize food addiction in a sample of college students and enlighten the relationship between food addiction, weight-variables, eating habits, and food choices in this population. A sample of 194 college students (89.2% females) aged between 18 and 32 years old (M = 20.85, SD = 2.78) completed a set of self-reported online questionnaires on Google Forms. Namely, a Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Questionnaire, a questionnaire on Food Choices Characterization, the Eating Habits Scale, and the Portuguese Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. Thirty (22.2%) participants presented food addiction problems. The logistic regression models utilized suggest that participants in the group with food addiction problems are more likely to seek clinical help to control weight, to consider that they should eat less food high in sugar, and to report lower food adequacy. In sum, this finding highlighted a connection between food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students, a population at risk for developing and retaining eating pathologies. Further research is essential to evaluate and implement interventions regarding food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students.

Suggested Citation

  • Sónia Gonçalves & Sílvia Félix & Filipa Martins & Olívia Lapenta & Bárbara C. Machado & Eva M. Conceição, 2022. "Food Addiction Problems in College Students: The Relationship between Weight-Related Variables, Eating Habits, and Food Choices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14588-:d:965154
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristina González-Monroy & Irene Gómez-Gómez & Cristian M. Olarte-Sánchez & Emma Motrico, 2021. "Eating Behaviour Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-24, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bárbara Cesar Machado & Célia S. Moreira & Marta Correia & Elisa Veiga & Sónia Gonçalves, 2023. "Coping as a Mediator and Moderator between Psychological Distress and Disordered Eating Behaviors and Weight Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.

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