Criterion-specific associations between food addiction, anthropometric measures, anxiety and family history of diseases among college students

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association of food addiction criteria with anxiety, anthropometric measures, family history of mental and physical health problems, as well as living conditions among Iranian college students. Design/methodology/approach In this cross-sectional study, 200 students were randomly selected. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS). Findings Thirty-one students met the criteria for food addiction compared to 169 who did not. Criterion-based analyses revealed significant positive associations between family history of anxiety and several YFAS criteria, including continuing to consume despite knowledge of negative physical or psychological consequences (criterion 5), increasing tolerance and needing more to achieve the same effect (criterion 6), experiencing withdrawal symptoms when reducing consumption (criterion 7), continuing to consume despite social or interpersonal problems (criterion 8) and consuming in physically dangerous situations (criterion 10) after adjusting for gender and BMI (all p < 0.05). Higher body fat percentage significantly increased the likelihood of meeting criterion 5 (p < 0.01). For all food addiction criteria, BMI was significantly higher in eligible students after adjusting for gender (p < 0.01). Research limitations/implications This study highlights the complex relationships between food addiction, anthropometric measures, anxiety and family history of diseases within a college student sample. Although an increment of BMI and body fat percentage was associated with addictive eating, a family history of anxiety could also be identified as another critical risk factor. These findings emphasize the importance of integrative approaches that encompass both the psychological and physiological aspects of food addiction. Future studies could concentrate on investigating causative processes and interventions that can be applicable in university, dormitory and family contexts to reduce the risk of food addiction and improve related health outcomes in students. Practical implications Against the cross-sectional design of the current study, its findings could have practical implications for health policymakers. Identifying high-risk college students by food addiction and anxiety screening could be a first step doing practical interventions. These screenings could be done simply by gathering data using short and self-reported questionnaires. Scheduling behavioral interventions regarding university-based programs, nutrition counseling and family-based interventions could be the next important step to improve related health outcomes in the target population. These practical strategies could continue with research efforts, particularly longitudinal clinical trials and neuroimaging studies that may clarify causal pathways, and they should receive additional support. Originality/value The present study highlights a less studied aspect of food addiction among Iranian students. The results of this study show that anxiety and family history are associated with specific measures of food addiction behavior. These findings may provide novel perspectives on prevention strategies and targeted interventions in this target group as well as in similar cultural and clinical settings.