The development and validation of the state and trait food-cravings questionnaires

We describe three studies on the development and psychometric properties of state and trait versions of a multidimensional Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ-S and FCQ-T). In Study 1, we used confirmatory factor analysis to help refine the instruments. Results indicated good internal consistency for both questionnaires and their respective subscales, as well as excellent test-retest reliability for the FCQ-T. In Study 2, we examined the validity of the instruments by comparing the effect of food deprivation versus food satiation on both questionnaires. As hypothesized, we found a greater effect on the state measure than the trait measure. In Study 3, we used confirmatory factor analysis to cross-validate the factor structure of both questionnaires with a new sample. Results supported the factor structure of both instruments. Overall, we suggest that cravings can be conceptualized as multidimensional motivational states. Our preliminary data support the use of the FCQ-S and FCQ-T with clinical and nonclinical populations.