The YFAS focuses on markers of substance dependence in relation to the consumption of what type of foods?

• A. High protein foods.
• B. High fat/high sugar foods.
• C. Foods high in fiber.
• D. Low-calorie foods.

Answer: (B)

The YFAS is built to detect addictive-like patterns of eating by focusing on foods that are highly palatable and energy-dense, which typically means foods rich in fat and sugar. These combinations strongly engage reward pathways in the brain, driving cravings, loss of control, and withdrawal-like symptoms—features that align with dependence criteria. Because the scale is designed to capture dependence-like responses to the most reinforcing foods, high fat/high sugar foods are the ones it targets.

Foods high in protein, high in fiber, or low-calorie foods do not typically produce the same powerful hedonic pull or dependence-like patterns, so they are not the focus of the YFAS.