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Understanding food addiction through the lens of psychological well-being, self-control, and eating behavior: a cross-sectional study

Murat Açık,Taha Gökmen Ülger

Published 2025 in Journal of Eating Disorders

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to elucidate how psychological distress, self-control, and sustainable healthy eating behaviors interact to shape food addiction, by simultaneously modeling their direct and indirect effects in adult population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 985 adults (mean age: 28.8 ± 10.9) from community health centers in Elazığ, Turkey. Standardized instruments measured depression, anxiety, stress (DASS-21), self-control, sustainable healthy eating, and food addiction (YFAS). Statistical analyses included logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). Food addiction prevalence was 34.9%. Individuals with food addiction had significantly higher mean depression, anxiety, and stress scores, and lower self-control (37.1 ± 4.3 vs. 40.2 ± 4.3, p < 0.001) and sustainable healthy eating scores (15.0 ± 3.9 vs. 17.6 ± 4.7, p < 0.001) compared to those without addiction. Logistic regression indicated that anxiety (OR[95% CI] = 1.27 [1.20–1.34]) was the strongest predictor, while higher self-control (OR = 0.92[0.88–0.95]) and sustainable eating (OR = 0.94[0.90–0.97]) reduced risk. The final model explained 44% of the variance. SEM showed that self-control and sustainable eating behaviors significantly mediated the relationship between stress and food addiction. Anxiety exerts the strongest direct influence on food addiction, while self-control and sustainable dietary habits serve as key mediators, particularly in the stress–food addiction pathway. These findings underscore the need for multidimensional interventions that integrate psychological and behavioral strategies to effectively prevent and manage food addiction. This study investigated how psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), self-control, and sustainable healthy eating behaviors interact to influence food addiction among 985 adults in Türkiye. About one-third of participants met the criteria for food addiction, and those individuals showed higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with lower self-control and poorer adherence to healthy and sustainable eating habits. Statistical analyses revealed that anxiety was the strongest direct predictor of food addiction, while depression and stress affected it mainly through reduced self-control and unhealthy dietary patterns. Low self-control was also associated with a decline in sustainable eating behaviors, which in turn increased vulnerability to food addiction. These findings suggest that food addiction is not only a behavioral issue but also deeply connected to emotional regulation and lifestyle habits. Promoting mental well-being, strengthening self-control, and encouraging sustainable, balanced diets may help prevent or manage food addiction more effectively, supporting both personal health and broader public health goals.

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