Clinical research identifies food addiction in humans

Scientists have uncovered evidence that supports the case for food addiction in humans.

Research presented to the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) and undertaken by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) revealed that people can become dependent on highly palatable foods and display behaviours similar to those seen in drug addicts.

Using a questionnaire originally developed by Yale University to access drug addiction, a group of obese men and women were asked questions modified by replacing the word 'drugs' with 'food', respondents were then categorised by being addicts or non-addicts.

While addicts and non-addicts did not differ in age or body weight they did illustrate a greater prevalence towards binge-eating and depression, as well as showing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

"These results strongly reinforce the view that food addiction is an identifiable condition with clinical symptoms, and is characterised by a psycho-behavioural profile that is similar to conventional drug-abuse disorders," explained lead author Dr Caroline Davis.