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

Authors

  • Hajar M. Edris Lecturer of Physical Therapy for the Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Essraa Amin Abd El-Hamid Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Hayah University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Enas Mohammed Atyia Esmail Assistant Professor, PhD in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq 25113, Jordan
  • Nagwa Sayed Abdelwahed Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Amany Gomaa Atiaa Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Surgery Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sinai University, Ismailia, Egypt.
  • Reem Hamdy Abdelhady Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Women's Health, Benha National University, Egypt
  • Sally A. Asker Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
  • Mennatallah M. Abdellatif Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Badr University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119236

Keywords:

food addiction, low back pain, BMI, functional disability, Range of Motion

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.

Author Biographies

  • Hajar M. Edris, Lecturer of Physical Therapy for the Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

    Lecturer of Physical Therapy for the Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

  • Essraa Amin Abd El-Hamid, Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Hayah University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

    Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Hayah University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

  • Enas Mohammed Atyia Esmail, Assistant Professor, PhD in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq 25113, Jordan

    Assistant Professor, PhD in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq 25113, Jordan

  • Nagwa Sayed Abdelwahed, Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

    Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, May University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

  • Amany Gomaa Atiaa, Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Surgery Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sinai University, Ismailia, Egypt.

    Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Surgery Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Sinai University, Ismailia, Egypt.

  • Reem Hamdy Abdelhady , Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Women's Health, Benha National University, Egypt

    Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Women's Health, Benha National University, Egypt

  • Sally A. Asker , Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

    Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

  • Mennatallah M. Abdellatif, Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Badr University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

    Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Badr University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.

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Published

01-06-2026

Issue

Vol. 79 (2026)

Section

Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Hajar M. Edris, Essraa Amin Abd El-Hamid, Enas Mohammed Atyia Esmail, Nagwa Sayed Abdelwahed, Amany Gomaa Atiaa, Reem Hamdy Abdelhady , Sally A. Asker , Mennatallah M. Abdellatif

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How to Cite

Edris, H. M., El-Hamid, E. A. A., Atyia Esmail, E. M., Abdelwahed, N. S., Atiaa, A. G., Abdelhady , R. H. ., Sally A. Asker, & Abdellatif, M. M. (2026). Correlation between food addiction and physical outcomes in low back pain among female adolescents. Retos, 79, 862-874. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119236