Food addiction

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Food addiction

Food addiction (/fuːd əˈdɪkʃən/) is a behavioral addiction that is characterized by the compulsive consumption of palatable (high fat and high sugar) foods – the types of food which markedly activate the reward system in humans and other animals – despite adverse consequences.

Etymology

The term "food addiction" is derived from the concept of addiction, which is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. The addition of "food" to "addiction" is used to describe a particular relationship with food that is compulsive, and resembles the behavior of drug addicts.

Related terms

  • Binge eating: This is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is a common symptom of a number of eating disorders, including food addiction.
  • Obesity: This is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health. Obesity is often a result of food addiction.
  • Compulsive overeating: This is characterized by an obsession with food and eating, to the detriment of the individual's health. It is often associated with food addiction.
  • Eating disorder: This is a mental disorder defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health. Food addiction can be considered a type of eating disorder.
  • Sugar addiction: This is the term for the relationship between sugar and the various aspects of physical addiction. It is often associated with, and can be a subset of, food addiction.
  • Junk food: This is a pejorative term for food containing high levels of calories from sugar or fat with little protein, vitamins or minerals. Junk food can be highly addictive, contributing to food addiction.

See also

External links

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