The prevalence of food addiction and its associations with plasma oxytocin level and anthropometric and dietary measurements in Iranian women with obesity

•The prevalence of FA was 26.2% 26.2% in Iranian women population with obesity based on the Iranian version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS).•Individuals meeting the criteria for FA had higher body weight and BMI compared to individuals not meeting the threshold of food addiction.•Class III obesity probably had higher odds for meeting criteria for FA compared to class I.•A higher percent of energy intakes from carbohydrate, protein and fat was demonstrated in the FAD group, compared to the NFA group.•Higher odds ratio of FA in individuals with lower oxytocin levels may highlight the role of oxytocin in hyperphasia in obese FAD participants. Obesity is a prevalent public health problem, and food addiction (FA) is one of the most controversial factors in its management. Therefore, this study was designed to validate an FA questionnaire for Iranian women with obesity and to determine the prevalence of FA and its associations with plasma oxytocin (OT) levels as well as anthropometric and dietary measurements. In this descriptive-analytical study, 450 adult women with obesity were included. The prevalence of FA was determined with a valid Yale food addiction scale (YFAS). Macronutrient intakes were measured by a valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In addition, plasma OT was measured after eight hours of fasting. In this study, the prevalence of FA was 26.2% in women with obesity. In comparison with class I obesity, the odds ratios (95% CI) of FA for class II and class III obesity were 2.5 (CI: 1.29–5.09) and 3.3 (CI: 1.69–6.4) respectively. Dietary intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol were significantly higher in food-addicted (FAD) women compared to non-food-addicted (NFA) ones (p