Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
MSc of Nutrition, Department of Health Educations, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR)- Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Associated professor in Health Education, Health Education Research Department, ACECR Khuzestan Branch, Ahvaz, Iran
3
MSc in Health Education, Health Education Research Department, ACECR Khuzestan Branch, Ahvaz, Iran
4
PhD Student of Gerontology, Iranian research center on Aging, University of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5
PhD in Health Education, Health Assessment Research Center, Health Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
6
MSc in Statistics, Health Assessment Research Center, Health Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective: The emerging field of food addiction research highlights the necessity of a robust assessment instrument. This study undertook the translation and psychometric evaluation of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0), recognizing its potential as a vital tool in this area.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 398 employees in Ahvaz city in two phases: 1- Translation of the instrument and 2- Examination of the psychometric properties of the instrument, including face validity, content validity, construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and discriminant validity), criterion validity, reliability (including internal consistency, stability, standard error of measurement), and responsiveness to change. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 22.
Findings: The study demonstrated robust face and content validity through qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Assessment of construct validity revealed that a single-factor structural equation model adequately fit the data. Convergent validity was supported by the significant correlation observed with Garner's Eating Attitude Test, and discriminant validity was evident through significant BMI-related differences. Criterion validity was also confirmed. High internal consistency was indicated by a Cronbach's α of 0.95 for the entire scale. Moreover, all stability and standard error of measurement parameters were within acceptable limits. Finally, the instrument showed appropriate responsiveness to change, as indicated by an area under the ROC curve of 0.981.
Conclusion: The favorable psychometric characteristics of the Persian YFAS 2.0, in this study, strongly support its broad application for evaluating food addiction among Persian speakers.
Footnotes
Acknowledgments
The researchers would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to all those who collaborated in conducting the research, especially the Honorable Deputy Director of Research of the Khuzestan Academic Jihad Organization, as well as the staff participating in this research.
Conflict of Interests Statement
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the present research.
Data Availability
All data generated or analyzed in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Funding/Support
There was no financial sponsor for the present study
Ethical Approval
All stages of the present study were approved by the Ethics Committee for Research at the Avicenna Research Institute of Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) - Jahad Daneshgahi (Ref ID: IR.ACECR.AVICENNA.REC.1400.017).
Authors' Contribution
M.T. was responsible for the study design, execution, and article drafting. Q.Sh. and Z.B. collaborated on the study design. A.Z. contributed to the article drafting. M.T. and A.M. collaborated on the statistical analysis of the study findings.
Informed Consent
Written informed consent was obtained from all volunteers participating in the study before their enrollment.
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