AUTHOR=Mastrobattista Luisa , Gomez Perez Luis J. , Gallimberti Luigi , Genetti Bruno , Andreotti Alessandra , Fassinato Daniele , Monacis Lucia , Anselmi Pasquale , Colledani Daiana , Minutillo Adele , Mortali Claudia 

TITLE=Psychosocial risk and protective factors for youth problem behavior are associated with food addiction in the Generation Z

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414110

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414110

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Objective: Food addiction (FA) and other well-known risk behavior as substance misuse tend to cooccur and may share similar risk and protective factors. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the diagnosis/severity of FA and psychosocial domains typically related to risk behavior syndrome in a large, nationally representative community sample of Generation Z underage Italian students.The sample consisted of 8,755 students (3,623 from middle schools; 5,132 from high schools). A short version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 was administered to evaluate FA. Risk and protective factors related to demographic, personality, behavior, and family variables were examined. Stepwise multivariate logistic and linear regressions were conducted.The prevalence of FA was 30.8%. Female gender, social anxiety and depression symptoms, social withdrawal risk, Internet gaming disorder, social media addiction, current substance use, social challenge engagement and experienced doxxing boosted the chance of FA diagnosis, whereas eating fruit and vegetables, playing competitive sports and an average sleep duration of 7-8 hours per night reduced these odds. FA severity was significantly and positively associated with trait impulsiveness,  social anxiety and depressive symptoms, risk of social withdrawal, recent substance use, social media, and gaming addiction, doxxing suffered and risky social challenges participation. Negative associations between the severity of FA and fruit and vegetable diet habits were found.Our findings confirm that FA is widespread among Italian adolescents. The associations between the diagnosis and severity of FA and psychosocial risk factors for health, including, addictive and deviant behaviors related to digital misuse, suggest its belonging to the risk behavior constellation. Health promotion schemes based on a multicomponent strategy of intervention should consider the inclusion of FA and its psychosocial correlates.