Psychometric properties of the Arabic food craving questionnaire-state

Background The Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ-S) is a widely used multidimensional instrument for the measurement of an individual's craving for different types of food. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a novel Arabic translation of the state version of the FCQ-S. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study was collected via a Google Form link, between February and March 2023. A sample of 515 Lebanese adults completed the FCQ-S, as well as previously validated measures of psychological distress and well-being. Results The confirmatory factor analysis supported the five-dimensional model of FCQ-S scores, with all 15 items retained. Scores achieved scalar invariance across gender. FCQ-S scores were found to have adequate composite reliability and adequate patterns of convergent and criterion-related validity. Additionally, higher state food cravings were associated with greater psychological distress and lower well-being. Conclusion These results suggest that the Arabic FCQ-S is a psychometrically valid tool for the assessment of state food cravings. The availability of the Arabic FCQ-S should facilitate the understanding of the effectiveness of existing interventions designed to regulate state food cravings among Arabic-speaking communities especially since they play an important role in the emergence as well as persistence of eating- and weight-related disorders.