YFAS-derived 'sugar addiction symptom scores' are unrelated to BMI or sugar intake.

Hiroshika Kodithuwakku, Piumi Palihakkara, Sudharshani Wasalathanthri, Mei Peng, Sashie Abeywickrema

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Article in European journal of nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 authors.

Hiroshika KodithuwakkuSensory and Dietary Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Piumi PalihakkaraSensory and Dietary Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Sudharshani WasalathanthriAppetite Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo 008, Sri Lanka.

Mei PengSensory Neuroscience and Nutrition Laboratory (SENNSE LAB), Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Sashie AbeywickremaSensory and Dietary Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. sashie.abey@sjp.ac.lk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-8770

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeHigh intake of sugar is prevalent and has been linked to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to assess ‘sugar addiction symptoms’ in young adults and their links to BMI, actual sugar and sweet snack intake.

methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 148 participants (final 106; 18–30 years, females = 64) were assessed for ‘sugar addiction symptoms’ using the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0). Dietary intake was evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, which was subsequently used to estimate total and added sugar intake, as well as snack choice for Sweet, Sweet + Fat, and Non-Sweet foods. Individual BMI measures were based on measured height and weight. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored associations between ‘sugar addiction symptoms’, sweetness liking, BMI, sugar intake, and food choices.

resultsResults showed that 9.6% of participants exhibited strong ‘sugar addiction symptoms’, 61.4% moderate, 23.2% mild, and 5.8% without symptoms. While a significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and total/added sugar intake, ‘sugar addiction symptom scores’ were not significantly linked to any of those measures (p > 0.1). However, ‘sugar addiction symptom scores’ significantly predicted choices of Sweet foods (χ² (7) = 67.29, p = 0.011, Pseudo R2 =0.48), with one-unit increase in YFAS-scores had a stronger impact on choosing Sweet + Fat foods than on Sweet foods alone.

conclusion‘Sugar addiction symptoms’ was unrelated to BMI or sugar intake but significantly predicted preferences for Sweet and especially Sweet + Fat foods, highlighting the role of sensory properties over sugar quantity in addictive-like eating. This study provides insights for future research and interventions targeting addictive eating patterns and healthier dietary behaviours.

Indexed as

Body Mass IndexDietDietary SugarsFeeding BehaviorFood AddictionAdolescentAdultBehavior Rating ScaleCross-Sectional StudiesDiet SurveysFemaleHumansMaleSymptom AssessmentYoung AdultDietary SugarsAdded sugar intakeObesitySnack choice‘Sugar addiction’Total sugar intakeYFAS

Identifiers

PMID41843180

DOI10.1007/s00394-026-03949-1

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.