Correlation between food addiction and physical outcomes in low back pain among female adolescents

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal concern among adolescents and can be influenced by various lifestyle and physiological factors, including body weight and eating behaviors. Purpose: To investigate the relationships between food addiction and physical outcomes related to low back pain among female adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 200 obese female adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years. FA was assessed with the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children and Adolescents. Pain intensity was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold was assessed with a Pressure Algometer, lumbar range of motion using a dual inclinometer, and functional disability was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index. Results: Greater FA scores were found to be positively correlated with pain outcomes, such as intensity of pain (r=0.563), functional disability(r=0.358), and were also negatively correlated with pain pressure threshold (r=−0.244) and all measures of range of motion (r=−0.784). Obesity (BMI) showed a positive correlation with pain intensity (r=0.712), functional impairment (r=0.493), and a strong inverse association with pain pressure threshold (r=−0.429) and range of motion of the lumbar spine (r=−0.791). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that high food addiction and high BMI in female adolescents are significantly associated with greater pain intensity and functional disability, while inversely related to pain pressure threshold and lumbar ROM.