Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: These commentaries highlight important issues about the potentially addictive nature of foods. Although further evidence for the validity of food's addictive potential were discussed, including neurobiological and behavioral indicators of addiction in animal models [1], behavioral markers of addiction in eating disorders [2], shared neuroendocrine responses in the consumption of foods and drugs [3] and similar in utero influences of addictive drugs and processed foods [4], concerns were also raised. Blundell & Finlayson suggest [5] that although factors associated with food addiction (such as implicit wanting) may be useful, the concept of food addiction may increase confusion surrounding obesity. We suggest that implicit wanting is an example of a common behavioral mechanism and represents part of a repertoire of behavioral elements underlying food addiction. If an addictive descriptor for foods is supported empirically, novel legal, educational and policy approaches to creating a healthier food environment may warrant stronger consideration. Such approaches could help to better educate, inform and protect consumers. Concerns were raised that food addiction may only be relevant to eating disorders because the general public does not appear to expend excessive energy in their consumption of palatable foods [5], and obesity is associated typically with only a modest increase in food consumption, a pattern seemingly different from drug use in addictions [2]. However, some addictions (e.g. tobacco-related) involve low-to-moderate intake of easily accessible substances that over time have deleterious consequences. Importantly, the addictive properties of some foods probably apply to a great many people—that is, not only to those with ‘clinical’ levels of obesity and/or disordered eating. As such, foods may contribute to poor diets and poor health associated with nutritional deficiencies. Indeed, obesity and malnutrition frequently co-occur. Thus, from a public health viewpoint, we believe that the combination of an addictive substance with easy accessibility represents a dangerous public health combination, as seen with tobacco and alcohol. Further, these factors may make the likelihood of excess consumption and subclinical problems especially widespread. For example, a relatively small percentage of the public consumes alcohol in an addictive manner [6], but the rewarding nature, widespread availability and social acceptance of alcohol may increase the subclinical impact of alcohol-related consequences [7]. The commentaries also highlighted important future directions. Authors emphasized the importance of identifying which ingredients in foods may be addictive [1–4]. Whether specific macronutrients (e.g. fat, sugar), food additives (e.g. salt, high-fructose corn syrup) or food characteristics (e.g. palatability, calorie content), or combinations thereof (e.g. caffeine and sugar), influence the potentially addictive nature of certain foods is an important empirical question. Such questions may have important developmental implications for foods as with drugs [e.g. flavored cigarettes (bidis) and adolescent smoking][8]. The food addiction concept will have limited impact on public health on policy or industrial food reformulation unless there is a scientifically informed answer to this question. In summary, the growing evidence that certain foods may be capable of triggering an addictive process suggests that applying lessons learned in reducing the impact of addictive substances may advance public health strategies addressing obesity. All authors report no conflict of interest with respect to the content of this paper. Dr Potenza has received financial support or compensation for the following: Dr Potenza consults for and is an advisor to Boehringer Ingelheim; has financial interests in Somaxon; has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, Veteran's Administration, Mohegan Sun Casino, the National Center for Responsible Gaming and its affiliated Institute for Research on Gambling Disorders, and Forest Laboratories pharmaceuticals; has participated in surveys, mailings or telephone consultations related to drug addiction, impulse control disorders or other health topics; has consulted for law offices on issues related to addictions or impulse control disorders; has provided clinical care in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services Program; has performed grant reviews for the National Institutes of Health and other agencies; has guest-edited journal sections; has given academic lectures in grand rounds, CME events and other clinical or scientific venues; and has generated books or book chapters for publishers of mental health texts. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants P50 DA016556, UL1-DE19586, K24 DK070052, RL1 AA017537, and RL1 AA017539, the Office of Research on Women's Health, the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research/Common Fund, the VA VISN1 MIRECC and the Rudd Center. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of any of the other funding agencies.
Source: Addiction
Institution: Yale University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: Yale University, National Institutes of Health, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Yale University, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Office of Research on Women's Health, Common Fund
Awards: ORWH: SCOR on Sex and Gender Factors Afecting Women's Health, Interdisciplinary Research on Stress, Self-Control & Addiction, K24 Mid-Career Investigator Award in Eating and Weight Disorders, fMRI of Stress & Self-Control in Smoking & Obesity (7 of 14), Stress-Induced Compulsive Behaviors: CRF Regulation (#3 of 14)
OpenAlex ID: W1481855516