Obesity as an addiction: Why do the obese eat more?

Abstract

The rising number of obese individuals on a global scale has led the scientific community to determine the causes for this disease. Besides over-consumption of high-caloric foods and/or endocrine dysfunction, food addiction has been found to be a major culprit for weight gain. Food addiction results from craving certain food or food-substances so as to obtain a state of heightened pleasure, energy or excitement. Major intervention is needed in curbing these cravings and suppressing the appetite to promote weight loss. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been applied to study why obese individuals overeat. Introduction of this technology will serve as a means in paving the way for new weight loss drugs.