Mediation Effect of Depression on the Association between Food Addiction and Body Image in Individuals with Obesity

Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediation effect of depression on the association between food addiction and body dissatisfaction in patients who seek for treatment for obesity. Methods: The study population consisted of 105 patients admitted to an obesity center in a university hospital. Data from were collected with the patient information form, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Body Image Scale. The direct relationship between food addiction and body dissatisfaction and the mediating effect of depression in the relationship between these two constructs were examined using multi-group structural equation modeling analysis by gender. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.22 +/- 10.05, 86.8% of them were females. The mean body mass index of the patients was calculated as 40.29 +/- 6.67. It was determined that 38.7% of the sample met the food addiction diagnosis criteria. It was found that 39.1% of females and 35.7% of males had food addiction. As a result of the modeling analysis, it was determined that there was no direct pathway between body dissatisfaction and food addiction, depression symptoms complete mediated the relationship between these two constructs. Results of multi-group analysis showed that the mediation model was consistent across gender. Conclusions: In the treatment of obesity cases in which food addiction and body image disorders coexist, examining the existence of depression and treating it can increase the success rate.WOS:00070904020001