Eating Disorders, Food Addiction, and Ultra-Processed Food Dependency: Defining the Problem - Finding the Solution

Food Addiction and Ulta-Processed Food Dependency are diseases typified by loss of control over the ability to stop eating certain foods. Scientifically, food addiction is a cluster of chemical dependencies on specific foods or food substances. After ingesting highly palatable foods, such as those containing significant amounts of sugar, flour, excess fat, and/or salt, some people’s brains crave these foods. In addition, the more processed a food or substance is, the greater its addictive potential. Over time, the progressive eating of these foods distorts a person’s thinking and leads to negative consequences they do not want but cannot stop. What follows is a description of these phenomena and how they are similar to and different from eating disorders. Further, the book explores the utilization of a substance abuse treatment model as it applies to recovering from these addictive and compulsive disorders.

excerpt from the book...
“Many people who fit the medical criteria for Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia, and specific variants of Anorexia appear to fit the description of FA and UPFD. How much and how many of these individuals overlap may be an issue for future research. Nonetheless, a substance use disorder seems to fit in describing these. This, of course, will continue to be a source of debate.
By analogy, some alcoholics also are dually “addicted” and can be identified as “addicts and alcoholics.” Some food addicts may well be identified as “bulimic and a food addict.” To be clear, the concept matters rather than the limits set forth with language and semantics. The implications are a matter of securing effective treatment.” M. Lerner, Ph.D. 2024