Food Addiction: a Deep Dive into ‘Loss of Control’ and ‘Craving’

Abstract

Purpose of Review The majority of existing research discusses food addiction (FA) classification, which provides information for different groups and which groups may or may not be affected to differing degrees. Fewer studies report FA symptom scores, and fewer still report on individual symptoms. This paper discusses the symptoms of craving and loss of control as they are common FA symptoms that demonstrate similarities with both substance use disorders and some eating disorder pathology. Recent Findings Loss of control presents parallels with disordered eating, particularly binge eating disorder. Craving refers to the powerful or strong desire for something and, in contrast to lack of control, presents most overlap with substance use disorders. Summary While not the most common symptoms reported in published research, loss of control and craving attract attention because of parallels with substance use and eating disorder pathology, and research has increasingly focused on these symptoms in recent years.

Psychopathological Profile Associated with Food Addiction Symptoms in Adolescents with Eating Disorders

“…Moreover, the findings showed a strong association between all FA symptoms and a BN diagnosis, especially for “craving”. This is in line with previous studies [ 22 ]. Conversely, the ARFID diagnosis was associated with negativity to all FA symptoms, while AN (both restrictive and atypical) was not associated with YFAS 2.0 symptoms at all but was associated with all the clinical scores of the psychopathological tests.…”

“…It is likely that this kind of patient may be at risk and, if in comorbidity with an ED, may present a worse prognosis for recovery. For this reason, the use of the YFAS tool only to determine the absence/presence of FA appears reductive, considering that the number and type of symptoms endorsed by each patient could be informative and useful for treatment [ 22 ]. Nevertheless, many papers exclusively discuss FA diagnosis, while just a few studies report individual symptoms [ 22 ].…”

“…For this reason, the use of the YFAS tool only to determine the absence/presence of FA appears reductive, considering that the number and type of symptoms endorsed by each patient could be informative and useful for treatment [ 22 ]. Nevertheless, many papers exclusively discuss FA diagnosis, while just a few studies report individual symptoms [ 22 ]. Considering clinical samples, recent reviews showed that the symptom count is higher, both in adolescents and adults, when compared to non-clinical ones [ 9 , 23 ].…”

Eating addiction

“…As symptoms such as a loss of control over consumption, craving, and unsuccessful attempts to cut down apply to consumption of a range of substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, but also food and non-alcoholic beverages), they have been the parallels between substance use and food consumption that most research has focused on (Laurent et al, 2022;Meule, 2023a;Whatnall, Skinner, et al, 2022). However, other symptoms of substance use disorder may be less applicable to food and eating.…”

Exploring Psychological Constructs in People Receiving Treatment for Addictive Eating Behaviours: “I Hate Loving Food as Much as I Do”

“…Compulsion of any description can leave individuals feeling disconnected from their personal goals, by continuing to engage in behaviours despite negative personal or health outcomes [15]. Compulsion in addictive eating appears to manifest predominantly as the YFAS clinical impairment symptom of craving, whereby individuals are unable to regulate food consumption when presented with related cues (e.g., visual or situational) [2,8,16,17]. Control has strong associations with addictive and substance use disorders, and participants in qualitative addictive eating studies frequently discuss their experiences with a lack of control or desiring control [8,9,11].…”