Food Addiction

This study is a cross-sectional observational study designed to evaluate the diagnostic criteria for behavioral addictions (gambling, online video game disorder, screen addiction, food addiction, and pathological use of sex and/or pornography). The main objective of this project is to explore the value of the "craving" criterion in the diagnosis of behavioral addictions. Individuals reporting regular engagement in these different behaviors will be recruited through broad communication campaigns, with the aim of including participants across different levels of severity and thereby better assessing the importance of craving as a diagnostic criterion. Value of the craving criteria will be evaluated based on: 1. its parameters derived from a two-parameter Item Response Theory (IRT) model, namely discrimination (a; the item's ability to distinguish between severity levels) and difficulty (b; the severity level at which the item has a high probability of being endorsed), considered relevant when the values exceed significant thresholds (discrimination \> 1 and difficulty within a specific range on the severity continuum); 2. its centrality within the network of criteria, as measured by four indices (strength, proximity, interdependence, and expected influence) from network analysis (NA).

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the expression of miR-10a-5p in the blood in patients with sexual addiction or food addiction. The main question it aims to answer is : To determine whether adults patients with SA or FA exhibit a distinct blood miR-10a-5p expression profile compared with matched healthy controls. For all participants, one blood sample will be collected.

This study experimentally investigates whether a reduction in ultra-processed (UP) food intake (1) causes aversive withdrawal symptoms in humans, (2) increases the motivational salience of UP food cues and, if so, (3) whether these factors undermine the ability to adhere to a low-UP diet. The following aims and hypotheses are tested: Aim 1: To investigate whether aversive physical, cognitive, and affective withdrawal symptoms emerge in response to reduced UP food intake compared to a high-UP diet, and whether this predicts failure to adhere to a low-UP diet. H1a: Reducing UP food intake will result in aversive physical, cognitive, and affective withdrawal symptoms, as indicated by 1) ecological momentary assessment (EMA) reports of aversive withdrawal symptoms, and 2) heart rate reactivity and subjective distress to an in-lab stressor. H1b: Aversive symptoms of UP food withdrawal will predict greater UP food intake and higher blood glucose levels when trying to adhere to a low UP diet. Aim 2: To investigate whether increased motivational salience of UP food cues emerges in response to reduced UP food intake, and whether this predicts failure to maintain a low-UP diet. H2a: Reducing UP food intake will result in increased motivational salience of UP food cues, as indicated by 1) EMA reports of UP food craving, 2) heart rate reactivity and subjective craving in a simulated fast-food restaurant, 3) heightened reinforcement value for UP food relative to other reinforcers, and 4) greater reward-related neural response to UP food cues. H2b: Increased motivational salience of UP food cues will predict greater UP food intake and higher blood glucose levels when trying to adhere to a low UP diet.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nomophobia levels on stress, food addiction, and body image among undergraduate students aged 18-30 at Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences. The primary questions it aims to answer are: * Is there a statistically significant relationship between nomophobia levels and perceived stress, food addiction, and body image among university students? * Is there a correlation between objective anthropometric data (body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass) measured via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), waist/hip circumference measurements, and the individual's perceived body image?

Background: Eating Disorders (ED) are mental health conditions, characterized by pathological behaviors toward food intake or a persistent obsession with weight control. EDs have a high prevalence among pre-adolescents in developed countries and pose a significant economic burden. Preventive interventions targeting at-risk populations for ED have proven effective. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) facilitates access to larger population groups while also reducing costs. Objectives: * Develop and validate a universally applied intervention (PRETA), mediated by ICTs, to reduce eating-disorder risk and modifiable risk factors, through cultural adaptation and adjustment of the POtsdam Prevention at Schools (POPS) Program to preadolescents. * Assess the efficacy of the PRETA Program through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). * Evaluate the efficiency of the PRETA Program from a social perspective. Methodology The PRETA Program uses 9 online sessions with interactive activities for pre- adolescents, plus education for their families and teachers. Its content includes addressing key factors in the development of ED, such as eating habits, beauty standards, and media literacy, as well as activities aimed at strengthening psychological dimensions (self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving, psychological flexibility, and resilience) and social skills, including communication styles and distinguishing between jokes and bullying. The study involves schools being randomly assigned to either the PRETA Program or regular health activities. The effect of the intervention will be evaluated 3 months after its start.