Category: Research Papers

There is interest in food addiction in the scientific and medical communities. Reading research papers on this topic can lead to a more scientific understanding of the concept of “food/eating as an addiction” and work toward developing an understanding of how recovery from this addiction may be possible.

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Research Paper: The Obesity Epidemic: The Role of Addiction

What is this?

This 2010 article from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, “The Obesity Epidemic: The Role of Addiction“, explores the concept of “food addiction,” examining how compulsive overeating shares similarities with substance abuse. It delves into the neurological basis of food cravings, highlighting how highly palatable foods activate the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs. The authors discuss the role of genetics, environmental factors, and emotional states in contributing to compulsive overeating, suggesting that for some individuals, food can be misused in much the same way as other addictive substances.

How can this help me?

If you struggle with food addiction, this article provides a scientific perspective on the underlying mechanisms driving your behavior. It validates the experience of compulsive overeating as potentially stemming from biological vulnerabilities and environmental triggers, rather than simply a lack of willpower. Understanding that food addiction may involve similar brain processes as substance addiction can encourage you to seek evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or 12-step programs, that are traditionally used for other addictions. It may also decrease feelings of shame.

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Research Paper: Psychological differences in food addiction and binge eating in a general Polish population

What is this?

Is binge eating a form of food addiction? Or is food addiction a sub-type of binge eating? Are they the same disorder or are they distinct? This study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, compares and contrasts the characteristics of these two disorders in the Polish population. The research reveals that while both disorders involve “eating a large quantity of food in a short amount of time,” they differ in crucial aspects. For example, “Patients with BED [binge eating disorder] typically exhibit episodes of disturbed behavior whereas patients with FA tend to show a continuous pattern of disturbed behavior”. By comparing and contrasting these two conditions, the research offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between psychology and eating behaviors.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87057-w

How can this help me?

For those battling food addiction, this study offers validation and clarity. It provides scientific evidence that the struggles of food addicts are real and cannot be explained by a simple lack of willpower.

This paper defines food addiction as follows:

“[…] increased compulsive food intake, which in turn may lead to the loss of its hedonic value – a reduction in the enjoyment or pleasure derived from eating. Similar to other types of addiction, individuals with FA [food addiction] often consume larger amounts of food than intended and experience cravings, urges, or a strong desire to eat. They often report spending large amounts of time obtaining food, eating, or recovering from eating. Additionally, they mention a persistent desire for food and unsuccessful attempts to cut down on eating. They may report the necessity to eat more to reduce negative emotions or to increase pleasure, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as experiencing negative affect or physical symptoms when they stop eating. As with any addiction, FA causes clinically significant impairment and distress,”

By highlighting the psychological factors associated with food addiction, this study offers food addicts a deeper understanding of the condition. For example, the research distinguishes food addiction from BED, noting that food addicts “show tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, as well as the neglect of social connections, abandonment of other activities, and other symptoms.” This knowledge can be empowering, potentially leading to more effective treatment options and helping to explain the realities of food addiction to skeptics.

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Research Paper: Adverse childhood experiences among adults with eating disorders

Summary

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, are considered a significant public health crisis and are associated with mental and physical health problems later in life. The current study compared ACEs among a treatment-seeking sample of adults with eating disorders to a nationally representative sample, and found that patients with eating disorders reported higher ACEs scores. Within the eating disorder sample, females were more likely to report a history of sexual abuse than males. Four categories of ACEs emerged, representing four distinct clusters of ACEs item endorsement. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) reported higher levels of ACEs than patients with anorexia nervosa – restricting subtype (AN-R). In addition, patients with other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) were more likely to be characterized by high levels of household dysfunction than patients with AN-R. Screening for adverse childhood experiences among patients with eating disorders should be part of standard care, and more broadly, providing children with safe environments may lessen the long-term development of several serious illnesses, including eating disorders.

Rienecke, R.D., Johnson, C., Le Grange, D. et al. Adverse childhood experiences among adults with eating disorders: comparison to a nationally representative sample and identification of trauma. J Eat Disord 10, 72 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00594-x

 The article below explains this study in plain English.

https://www.psypost.org/2022/07/study-links-distinct-patterns-of-childhood-trauma-to-specific-eating-disorder-diagnoses-63547

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Research Paper: Food Addiction: Implications for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Overeating

Adams, R. C., Sedgmond, J., Maizey, L., Chambers, C. D., & Lawrence, N. S. (2019). Food Addiction: Implications for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Overeating. Nutrients, 11(9), 2086. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092086

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Research Paper: Food Addiction: A Valid Concept?

Fletcher, P. C., & Kenny, P. J. (2018). Food addiction: a valid concept?. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(13), 2506–2513. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-018-0203-9