Support for a two-dimensional model of food craving using self-report questionnaire and cue-reactivity methodologies

Evidence supports the transdiagnostic importance of food cravings across the spectrum of disordered eating behaviors. The ambivalence model of craving (AMC), originally applied to substance use craving, highlights the need to consider not just the motivational state of "approach," but also that of "avoidance." The aims of this project were to (a) extend the existing literature by providing additional psychometric support for the food approach and avoidance questionnaire (FAAQ), (b) extend research supporting the validity of applying the AMC to disordered eating by incorporating a cue-reactivity paradigm, and (c) examine the unique contributions of the FAAQ and in-the-moment cue-elicited craving to the prediction of disordered eating.

Participants (N = 223; 52.0% female, age M = 20.51 years) were recruited from a large southeastern university. Participants completed a food cue-reactivity paradigm and measures of food craving and disordered eating in a lab setting.

The factor structure and construct validity of the FAAQ was supported and both general states of food craving (i.e., FAAQ) and cue-elicited food craving were incrementally associated with the spectrum of disordered eating behaviors. As anticipated, both FAAQ and in-the-moment cue-elicited approach were primarily associated with overeating behaviors, whereas FAAQ and cue-elicited avoidance were primarily associated with restrictive eating behaviors.

Findings highlight the importance of including an avoidance dimension of food craving and have important implications for disordered eating prevention and intervention work.