Background
The prevalence of excess weight and obesity in children has increased significantly worldwide. The concept of food addiction (FA) has been associated with eating-related problems and obesity. Studies on this topic have primarily examined adult samples and little is known about addictive-like eating among Mexican children and adolescents.
Methods
We conducted this study to examinate the prevalence of FA in a group of 291 overweight and obese children and adolescents using YFAS scale for children (YFAS-C) in Mexico.
Results
According to the YFAS-C approximately 14.4% of participants met for FA diagnosis. Forty-two (14.4%) received a FA diagnosis: 14 children and 28 adolescents. The number of FA symptoms in participants who received an FA diagnosis (M = 4.35, SD = 1.07) compared to participants with no FA diagnosis (M = 1.70, SD = 1.53) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant gender differences and the proportion of subjects with an FA diagnosis did not differ by age between children and adolescents. FA is a focus of interest in attempting to explain certain behaviors that may contribute to the development of obesity and explain the failure of the weight loose programs in children.
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