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Research Results on
Food Addiction
Recent evidence suggests
that palatable, high-calorie foods, think comfort foods like mac&cheese
or burgers with fries or steaks cut half the size of your head, may have an
addictive potential that can contribute to overeating. Impulsivity, obesity and
overconsumption of such foods have been associated with addiction-like eating behavior.
(I say addiction-like, because as of present, food addiction is not fully
recognized as an addiction by treatment professionals.)
Current data demonstrates
that impulsivity is a trait that predicts the development of food addiction-like
behaviors, including excessive intake, heightened motivation for food, and
compulsive eating of foods with high fat, salt, and/or sugar content. Is the
problem then impulsivity or lack of impulse control, or does something in the
food cause impulsivity? Compulsivity is a behavioral trait frequently seen not
only in drug-addicted individuals, but also in individuals who pathologically
overeat. In this study, researchers hypothesized that a high impulsivity trait precedes and confers vulnerability for
food addiction-like behavior.
Working with 4000 food addicts over
twenty years, research scientist Philip Werdell found “bingeing clients reported “having to eat” and “bingeing on” the same
foods scientists find most “addictive”: sugar, fat, flour, wheat, salt,
artificial sweeteners, caffeine and volume.” Food-addicted individuals
reported more frequent food cravings, higher eating disorder psychopathology
and more depressive symptoms than non-addicted people. Furthermore, evidence
indicating food abstinence relieves physical craving, enables sustained weight
loss and supports internal recovery, provides a strong argument for the
existence of both physical craving and food addiction.
A large 2013 study using a US-based
population of women, documented the prevalence of food addiction by using a
novel measurement scale in middle-aged and older women. Overall, 7839 (5.8%) of
the women surveyed met the criteria for food addiction. The prevalence of food
addiction was 8.4% in the younger cohort of women aged 45–64 years and 2.7% in
the older cohort of women aged 62–88 years. The scientists hope the results may
provide insight into the strong association between behavioral attributes of
food consumption and the development of obesity.
Out of control consumption of food is related to pain
reduction centers, which focus on the serotonin mechanisms in the brain,
according to another study. This research showed malfunctions in serotonin
processing correlates with an addiction to sugars and flours. Therefore,
struggle with food addiction may have biological influences.
Existing evidence needs critical evaluation and food
addiction should be considered for recognition as an addiction, no different
than drugs or alcohol. There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that
addiction, at least to sugar, is real and deserves treatment. Many holistic
approaches help control other addictions, and food addiction warrants a more
in-depth discussion for appropriate treatment options, to help those who
struggle with this issue and the comorbid diseases of obesity, diabetes, and
other disorders. Discuss concerns you may have with a medical professional for
advice and development of a personal treatment plan for any addiction.
