Future Directions in “Food Addiction”: Next Steps and Treatment Implications

• Published in: Current addiction reports Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 165 - 171
• Main Authors: Schulte, Erica M., Joyner, Michelle A., Schiestl, Emma T., Gearhardt, Ashley N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addictions; Addictive behaviors; Carbohydrates; Drug dosages; Drug use; Drug withdrawal; Eating behavior; Eating disorders; Food; Food Addiction (A Meule; Harm reduction; Intervention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Obesity; Oils & fats; Psychiatry; Section Editor; Substance abuse treatment; Substance use disorder; Topical Collection on Food Addiction; Weight control; Obesity; Food addiction; Cue reactivity; Craving; Negative affect
• ISSN: 2196-2952; 2196-2952
• DOI: 10.1007/s40429-017-0140-4

Purpose of Review The purposes of this study were to examine future directions regarding food addiction and to discuss potential treatment implications. Recent Findings Foods likely differ in their ability to trigger addictive-like eating, with highly processed foods being the most closely associated with addictive processes. Harm reduction approaches may be relevant to the treatment of addictive-like eating. Food addiction is more closely associated with wanting for food, rather than liking the taste of food. Exposure to food cues increases wanting for food and increasing strategies to cope with cravings may be an important treatment approach. Negative affect likely increases vulnerability to overeating. Increasing emotion regulation capabilities may be important in reducing signs of food addiction. Summary The role of addictive mechanisms in problematic eating requires additional research, but an addiction perspective may also have important treatment implications.