Impulsividad, conducta alimentaria desordenada y su relación con la adicción a la comida en población universitaria ecuatoriana

Background: Food addiction (FA) has been identified as a growing public health concern, associated with obesity and psychological distress. Factors such as inhibition and depression have been proposed as potential predictors of this behavior. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate a predictive model of FA in the Ecuadorian population, considering inhibition, depression, and anxiety as key variables. Methodology: The study followed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational-causal design. The Executive Function Assessment Scale (EFECO), the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS), and the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) were administered to 236 students from the Universidad Católica de Cuenca, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Results: Statistical analyses revealed that inhibition was a significant predictor of FA, whereas depression did not have a direct effect. Anxiety showed a moderate correlation with FA, although its predictive impact was lower compared to inhibition. Additionally, 24.2% of participants exhibited signs of FA, with a higher prevalence in women. Discussion: The results highlighted the role of inhibition in FA, suggesting that deficits in impulse control may increase vulnerability to compulsive eating behaviors. These findings underscore the importance of developing interventions aimed at strengthening self-control as a strategy for prevention and treatment.