Co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and food addiction in a general Polish population: Latent profile analysis

Food addiction (FA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are each associated with obesity and adverse psychological outcomes. The goal of this study was to generate symptom profiles based on varying levels of FA and PTSD symptoms. We hypothesized four profiles: PTSD+FA; PTSD; FA; healthy. In a general Polish population (N=2245), scores on PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Lifetime Events Checklist (LEC), and Yale FA Scale (YFAS) were used as indicators in the latent profile analysis. Gender and Negative Urgency (SUPPS-P) were used as predictors of profile membership. Scores on Emotional Eating (DEBQ), AUDIT, Depression (DASS-21), binge eating presence were used as validators. The sample was divided into two subsamples to conduct a robustness check. In both samples (n1=1133; n2=1132), a three-profile solution emerged with high PCL-5, LEC, YFAS (PTSD+FA); high PCL-5 and LEC, low YFAS (PTSD profile); and low PCL-5, LEC, YFAS (healthy). No FA profile emerged. Predictors and validators meaningfully differentiated profiles. Findings indicate that FA is closely related to PTSD symptoms. PTSD+FA profile had the highest BMI, dysregulated eating, and problematic alcohol use, indicating a potential “reward deficiency profile” at highest risk for obesity. PTSD and dysregulated eating should be assessed in tandem.