Food addiction: Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of overeating

Adams, Rachel C.; Sedgmond, Jemma; Maizey, Leah; Chambers, Christopher D.; Lawrence, Natalia S.

Abstract

With the obesity epidemic being largely attributed to overeating, much research has been aimed at understanding the psychological causes of overeating and using this knowledge to develop targeted interventions. Here, we review this literature under a model of food addiction and present evidence according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for substance use disorders. We review several innovative treatments related to a food addiction model ranging from cognitive intervention tasks to neuromodulation techniques. We conclude that there is evidence to suggest that, for some individuals, food can induce addictive-type behaviours similar to those seen with other addictive substances. However, with several DSM-5 criteria having limited application to overeating, the term ‘food addiction’ is likely to apply only in a minority of cases. Nevertheless, research investigating the underlying psychological causes of overeating within the context of food addiction has led to some novel and potentially effective interventions. Understanding the similarities and differences between the addictive characteristics of food and illicit substances should prove fruitful in further developing these interventions.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 4, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 4, 2019
• Deposit Date: Sep 9, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 12, 2022
• Journal: Nutrients
• Electronic ISSN: 2072-6643
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 2086
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092086
• Keywords: food addiction; overeating; obesity; impulsivity; reward sensitivity; cognitive training; neuromodulation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9959357
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/9/2086