Cited by 245Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Food addiction and associations with mental health symptoms: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Burrows, T., Kay‐Lambkin, F., Pursey, K., Skinner, J., Dayas, C.·2018·Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The present study systematically reviewed the literature aiming to determine the relationships between food addiction, as measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), and mental health symptoms. METHODS: Nine databases were searched using keywords. Studies were included if they reported: (i) YFAS diagnosis or symptom score and (ii) a mental health outcome, as well as the association between (i) and (ii). In total, 51 studies were included. RESULTS: Through meta-analysis, the mean prevalence of food addiction diagnosis was 16.2%, with an average of 3.3 (range 2.85-3.92) food addiction symptoms being reported. Subanalyses revealed that the mean number of food addiction symptoms in populations seeking treatment for weight loss was 3.01 (range 2.65-3.37) and this was higher in groups with disordered eating (mean 5.2 3.6-6.7). Significant positive correlations were found between food addiction and binge eating [mean r = 0.602 (0.557-0.643), P < 0.05], depression, anxiety and food addiction [mean r = 0.459 (0.358-0.550), r = 0.483 (0.228-0.676), P < 0.05, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: A significant, positive relationship exists between food addiction and mental health symptoms, although the results of the present study highlight the complexity of this relationship.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jhn.12532

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Authors
Burrows, T., Kay‐Lambkin, F., Pursey, K., Skinner, J., & Dayas, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (AU)
Corresponding author
Burrows, T.
Venue
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-01-25
Volume
31
Issue
4
Pages
544-572
ISSN
  • 0952-3871 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-277X
OpenAlex
W2792905072
Cited by
245
References
89
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13
FWCI
4.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords
food addiction, Yale Food Addiction Scale, psychiatric symptoms, binge eating, depression, anxiety, disordered eating, weight loss treatment
MeSH terms
Food Addiction, Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Mental Disorders, Bulimia, Child, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Weight Loss, MEDLINE

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