Structural Model of Impulsivity and Food Addiction with the Mediating Role of Food Craving and Emotional Processing

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the potential role of food craving and emotional processing in explaining and predicting the relationship between impulsivity and food addiction. Method: This study was descriptive and correlational research. The statistical population included all people with obesity who were referred to the health centers and nutrition clinics in Tehran in the spring and summer of ۲۰۲۳. In this research, ۳۵۷ participants were selected through the convenience sampling method. Body mass index, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (Fossati et al., ۲۰۰۱), the Yale food addiction scale (Gerhard et al., ۲۰۰۹), the food craving questionnaire - trait (Sepda Benito et al., ۲۰۰۰), and the Emotional processing scale (Baker et al., ۲۰۰۷) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling through Amos۲۴ software. Results: The results showed that the model fits appropriately with the observed data. The coefficient of the direct path of impulsivity and food addiction was positive and significant. The indirect relationship between impulsivity and food addiction through food craving and emotional processing was also positive and significant. This finding indicates that both emotional processing and food craving mediate the relationship between impulsivity and food addiction positively and meaningfully. Conclusion: It seems that emotional processing problems and impulsivity play a significant role in the etiology and continuation of pathological eating, and focusing on the interaction of these factors can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of eating problems in overweight and obese people.

کلیدواژه ها:

Impulsivity ، Food Addiction ، Food Craving ، Emotional Processing ، Health