Food Addiction

Abstract

Food addiction is associated with dysfunctions in the reward circuit, such as hyperresponsiveness during the exposure to high-calorie flavors in overweight and obese individuals. Similar to drug addiction, there is also impaired self-regulatory control supported by deregulation of the frontostriatal circuit. The inclusion of validated measures of food addiction in clinical research, such as the Yale Food Addiction Scale, has increased the understanding of the clinical utility of this concept. Furthermore, food addiction, eating disorders, and obesity are interrelated. Thus, it is important to recognize food addiction among individuals affected by obesity and candidates for bariatric surgery (ie, preoperative and postoperative assessment). In this context, it has been reported that food addiction may impede weight loss and increase the likelihood of regaining weight when associated with personality traits such as neuroticism and impulsiveness, which are also related to mood disorders, anxiety, and addictive behaviors.

Co-occurrence of habit-forming risk behaviors and their socio-demographic, health status and lifestyle determinants: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…Consistent with our findings, previous studies have linked socio-demographic, health status, and lifestyle characteristics with individual risk behaviors. Specifically, younger age was shown to be a determinant of SUD [ 50 ], FA [ 18 , 19 ], and IA [ 16 , 17 ], respectively; adverse childhood experiences were shown to be a determinant of SUD [ 20 ]; poor dietary quality or disordered eating have been associated with alcohol use [ 51 ], FA [ 52 , 53 ], and IA [ 54 , 55 ], respectively; not being of normal weight has been associated with FA [ 19 , 24 , 56 ] and IA [ 25 ], respectively; smoking has been associated with AUD [ 29 ], FA [ 31 , 32 ], and IA [ 33 ], respectively; alcohol use has been associated with ND [ 29 ] and IA [ 34 ]; finally, presence of other mental health conditions has been associated with SUD [ 50 ], FA [ 23 , 24 , 27 , 56 ], and IA [ 28 ], respectively. The clustering of determinants has been evoked by descriptive studies showing a positive association of occupational sitting time with education and income [ 57 ].…”

“…For example, a review reported the co-existence of SUD and IA [ 34 ]; a cross-sectional study including 36,309 adults revealed a significant association between AUD and ND [ 29 ]. In a systematic review and meta-analysis including cross-sectional and prospective studies, eating underscored by a loss of control and binge eating disorders, which are highly correlated with FA [ 56 , 60 , 61 ], were reported to be associated with IA [ 54 ]. A cross-sectional study also suggested significant associations between problematic Internet use and eating disorders in both males and females [ 62 ].…”

“…In terms of the underlying mechanisms, SUD and other habit-forming risk behaviors might share the same neurobiological basis (e.g., dopamine reward system), genetic overlap, and psychosocial antecedents (e.g., impulsivity) [ 63 ]. Studies have also reported neurobiological and psychological parallels between ND or SUD and FA, such as activation of the dopaminergic reward pathways, opioid and cannabinoid systems, gut-brain axis mechanisms, chronic stress during childhood affecting the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, and emotional development [ 32 , 50 , 56 , 64 ]. Moreover, a literature review suggested that co-occurrence of SUD and IA could be explained by shared psychosocial factors, such as low self-esteem, poor family functioning, low life satisfaction, and personality more likely to engage in a behavior perceived as rewarding [ 34 ].…”

Influencia de los medios de comunicación y redes sociales en la adopción de conductas adictivas en adolescentes

“…5. Comportamiento alimentario problemático: Adoptar hábitos alimentarios excesivos, como la bulimia, la anorexia o la alimentación compulsiva, puede tener graves consecuencias para la salud (Florio et al, 2022;Hauck et al, 2020). 66.…”