Factor structure for the Food Cravings Inventory in an Australian sample

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Food Craving Inventory (FCI; White et al., 2002) with an Australian population by conducting an exploratory factor analysis and comparing the FCI to Power of Food Scale (PFS) and Revised Restraint Eating Scale (RRS).Method: The 581 participants included, aged between 18 and 60 years old, completed the FCI, RRS and PFS online.Results: The results of the study showed that FCI was able to predict food cravings in this sample. The exploratory factor analysis, however, showed only three factors, not four as per the original inventory, which may be due to the current finding that two of the factors, craving for fast food and high fat foods, are not distinguishable in an Australian sample. The FCI positively predicted scores on PFS and RRS, although carbohydrate cravings were not predictive of the power of food in the environment, whilst high fats/fast food and sweets were.Conclusion: The results of the study highlight that some of the foods listed may not be relevant in an Australian sample and require adaptation. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1)Food cravings result in food consumption 80–85% of the time; (2)Measurement of food cravings in America has identified four main areas: Dietary Fats, Sweets, Carbohydrates, and Fast Food; (3)Cultural adaptations of food craving measurement has indicated only three areas in British and Spanish populations. What this topic adds: (1)An Australian investigation of the Food Craving Inventory indicated only three factors: Sweets, Carbohydrates, and Fast Food; (2)In this Australian sample, restraint eating was a significant predictor of food cravings; (3)Australian adults more susceptible to food cravings potentially binge eat.