Overview
People with food addiction struggle every day with a loss of control or inability to stop eating foods that are high in carbohydrates, fat, salt, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. They also suffer from painful feelings of shame and embarrassment when it comes to their food behaviors.
Food addiction is a relatively new topic. But, it’s a complex condition that has similarities to other types of addiction, such as drugs, alcohol, shopping, or gambling. However, help is available.
Understanding the causes and signs of food addiction can help you lower your risk and change potentially problematic behaviors.
Food addiction, caused by how unhealthy foods interact with the brain’s reward system, has grown in prevalence over the years.
While substance use disorders typically dominate the broader topics of addiction, more research is finally being conducted on food addiction.
The research on food addiction is still ongoing, but even the early statistics show that this type of addiction can affect anyone of any age or background. However, some demographics are more at risk than others for food addiction.
Although food addiction is not officially recognized as a diagnosis in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), the condition is still widely diagnosed and treated by healthcare providers.
Here’s how common food addiction is in the US:
Because all humans need to eat food to survive, anyone can develop a food addiction or be affected by the condition.
Food addiction occurs when a person becomes addicted to the release of dopamine (part of the brain’s reward center) caused by the compulsive overeating of highly palatable foods commonly abused in food addiction.
Highly palatable foods include highly processed food products containing large amounts of sugar, fat, and salt. With how accessible and affordable these palatable foods are, whether it’s through fast food or food delivery services, the prevalence of food addiction is rising.
Food Addiction Statistics by Age
Upbringing, plus the eating behaviors and attitudes we’re taught, can significantly affect a person’s risk factors for developing food addiction. In addition, our metabolism and neural pathways change as we age, meaning highly processed foods can have different effects throughout our lives.
Food Addiction Statistics by Race
While research on food addiction by race is still ongoing, some published studies reveal the rates of food addiction by race.
Food Addiction Statistics by Gender
Considering the different beauty standards set for different genders and how emotional eating is perceived for men and women, it’s no surprise that food addiction and compulsive eating vary between men and women.
Research from the University of Michigan showed how food addiction is experienced by gender.
According to the study, food addiction was found in:
Consuming “highly palatable” foods, or foods that are high in carbohydrates, fat, salt, sugar, or artificial sweeteners, triggers the pleasure centers of the brain and releases “feel-good” chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. These foods affect the same area of the brain as drugs, alcohol, and behaviors such as shopping or gambling.
Highly palatable foods often contain unnatural substances or higher-than-normal levels of natural substances that your body and brain can't process. This results in your body being flooded with “feel-good” chemicals.
To help you hang on to or recreate those good feelings, your body and brain will begin to crave highly palatable foods. And, because your brain will adjust its receptors to compensate for the rush of chemicals, you'll eventually need to consume increasing quantities of highly palatable foods to get the same feel-good reaction.
Because everyone must eat to survive, anyone can develop food addiction. Overexposure to highly palatable foods can increase your risk of developing a food addiction—and people who are overexposed at a young age are at an even higher risk. People who use food to cope with stress or change their mood are also at a higher risk.
Studies also show that there are genes that put people at a higher-than-average risk of developing any type of addiction. The more “addictive” genes a person has, the more likely they are to struggle with addiction to food, another substance or a behavior.
One of the main signs of food addiction is a loss of control over eating behaviors—especially when it comes to certain highly palatable foods. If you feel like you want to stop but can’t; you eat to the point of feeling sick; or, you feel ashamed or guilty about your eating, you may be suffering from food addiction.
People who suffer from food addiction also may need to eat a large amount of food to feel satisfied, which can lead to weight gain. However, some do maintain a normal weight. It’s also common to experience symptoms of withdrawal when they stop eating a certain food. Withdrawal symptoms include the following:
Food addiction also can affect your relationships and social life. People with food addiction may have problems at work or school, lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, avoid social events or become isolated from family members and friends.
Food addiction is difficult to prevent because it’s impossible to avoid food. However, one of the best strategies is to avoid overexposure to palatable foods by eating a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in natural, unprocessed foods. Eating a balanced diet and understanding the warning signs of food addiction will help you to act quickly if you suspect a problem.
Like with substance dependence, food addicts tend to do best with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). These types of therapy help patients manage the symptoms of food addiction and potential withdrawal symptoms.
In addition, by working with a nutrition counselor, patients can better learn to manage food cravings and food intake and improve their eating habits.
Food addiction can be challenging to deal with, whether you’re the one addicted or a loved one is. However, there are several options available to help you enter recovery.
By speaking with your doctor or therapist about your addictive behaviors, they can help you determine a suitable treatment plan for you.
Food addiction support groups include: