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The Validation of the Persian Version of Sugar Addiction Questionnaire: Factor Structure, Item Analysis and Model Fit Publisher



Alavi SS1 ; Mokhtari F1 ; Molavi Z2 ; Moghadam SN1 ; Yaseri S1 ; Jannatifard F3 ; Alaghemandan H4 ; Padrad F1 ; Saeb GP1 ; Safdari L5 ; Mohammadi MR1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  3. 3. Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Health Management in Disaster and Emergency, Engineering Research Institution of Natural Disaster Management, Shakhes Pajouh, Isfahan, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Psychology, College of Humanities Sciences, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Psychiatry Published:2025


Abstract

Objective: Excessive sugar consumption is a growing public health concern, with research suggesting it may function as an addictive substance. However, the lack of standardized tools to assess sugar addiction, particularly across cultures, remains a challenge. This study aims to validate the Persian version of the Sugar Addiction Questionnaire (SAQ) for use in Iran. Method: In this cross-sectional psychometric validation study, 504 Persian-speaking adults (59.1% female, mean age = 29.8 ± 19.5 years) were recruited using convenience sampling from Tehran health centers. Participants completed the SAQ and Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), and participated in DSM-5-based semi-structured interviews for sugar addiction. Factor analysis and reliability measures (Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest, split-half) were used to assess the SAQ's validity and reliability. Results: The Persian SAQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Factor analysis revealed a five-factor structure explaining 45.08% of the variance. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations with the YFAS 2.0 (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.55, P < 0.001). The scale showed a good model fit (CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.08), with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79) and a test-retest correlation of 0.54. The optimal cutoff for diagnosing sugar addiction was 9, with the Area-Under-the-Curve (AUC) of 98%. Conclusion: The Persian version of the SAQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing sugar addiction in Iran. This validated instrument can improve the diagnosis and understanding of sugar-related behavioral issues, supporting better public health strategies for managing excessive sugar consumption. Copyright © 2025 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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