Can food be addictive? Public health and policy implications

Abstract

Aims: Data suggest that hyperpalatable foods may be capable of triggering an addictive process. Although the addictive potential of foods continues to be debated, important lessons learned in reducing the health and economic consequences of drug addiction may be especially useful in combating food-related problems.

Methods: In the current paper, we review the potential application of policy and public health approaches that have been effective in reducing the impact of addictive substances to food-related problems.

Results: Corporate responsibility, public health approaches, environmental change and global efforts all warrant strong consideration in reducing obesity and diet-related disease.

Conclusions: Although there exist important differences between foods and addictive drugs, ignoring analogous neural and behavioral effects of foods and drugs of abuse may result in increased food-related disease and associated social and economic burdens. Public health interventions that have been effective in reducing the impact of addictive drugs may have a role in targeting obesity and related diseases.

Figure 1a

Temporal plots of obesity rates and McDonald's fast food venues in France^{2,3 2}All obesity data were acquired from the World Health Organization and the United Kingdom Health Behavior Survey. All McDonald's data were acquired from press releases, McDonald's fact sheets, Fantasia 1995²¹, and DeBres 2005²². ³**. Correlation is significant at .01 level (1-sided)

Figure 1b

Temporal plots of obesity rates and McDonald's fast food venues in the United Kingdom^{4 4}**. Correlation is significant at .01 level (1-sided)