Validity and reliability study of the Turkish adaptation of the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ) in university students. Methods: The study included 394 undergraduate students at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University. The study included individuals who volunteered to participate, were at least 18 years old, and did not have any severe psychological issues. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses of the scale were conducted by dividing the data set into two groups. Cronbach’s α coefficient was analyzed and a test-retest was conducted with 94 students. Results: It was determined that the Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire had 2 factors (acceptance and willingness). The fit values of the scale were found to be CMIN/df=2.26; GFI=0.92; AGFI=0.87; CFI=0.85; RMSEA=0.08. The acceptance, willingness subscales and total Cronbach α coefficients of the scale were 0.761, 0.716 and 0.761, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were 0.84, 0.81 and 0.80 for acceptance, willingness and total scale score, respectively. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between the ‘acceptance’, ‘willingness’ subscale and total DEBQ, FCQ-T scores, subscale scores and mYFAS 2.0 symptom count (P<0.05). Conclusion: The FAAQ was found to have a two-factor structure and the fit values were found to be within the acceptable range. The age range for university students is considered to be that of adults, and this scale can also be applied to adults in general.

Keywords

• acceptance
• food addiction
• food cravings
• eating disorders
• willingness