What is the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS)?

The YFAS is a validated instrument that adapts the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence to assess addictive-like eating behaviors. It provides both a continuous symptom count and a dichotomous diagnosis of food addiction.

Who developed it and when?

Developed by Ashley Gearhardt and colleagues at Yale University in 2009, based on substance dependence criteria.

What type of assessment is it?

Self-report questionnaire suitable for research and clinical screening purposes.

What does it assess?

• Tolerance (needing more food for desired effect)
• Withdrawal symptoms when reducing certain foods
• Loss of control over eating
• Unsuccessful efforts to cut down
• Time spent obtaining, consuming, or recovering from eating
• Important activities given up due to eating
• Continued eating despite problems
• Clinically significant impairment or distress

How many items and what format?

25 items using various response formats (frequency scales and yes/no questions).

How is it scored?

Provides a symptom count (0-7) and a binary food addiction diagnosis based on meeting criteria for dependence and clinical significance.