LAUSR

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to examine the relationships among food addiction, eating attitudes, emotional appetite, and self-esteem of young adults aged 18–30 years by using a structural model. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,058 volunteers (male = 307, female = 751). The hypothesis that self-esteem of young adults influences their eating attitudes was supported in the study (β = –0.081, p < .05). Another hypothesis was also supported, so self-esteem had a positive effect on food addiction (β = 0.280, p < .05). Furthermore, eating attitude has mediating effects on the relationships between self-esteem and food addiction and between emotional appetite and food addiction. Individuals’ eating attitude, food addiction, emotional appetite, and self-esteem scores were found to be related to each other. This article provides valuable data for studies of disordered eating attitudes, emotional state, and food addiction that are thought to be important for young adults in the future.