Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction

Abstract

Food addiction, specifically ultra-processed food addiction, has been discussed in thousands of peer-reviewed publications. Although 20% of adults meet criteria for this condition, food addiction is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, leading to a dearth of tested treatment protocols and published outcome data. Growing numbers of clinicians are offering services to individuals on the basis that the food addiction construct has clinical utility. This audit reports on clinical teams across three locations offering a common approach to programs delivered online. Each team focused on a whole food low-carbohydrate approach along with delivering educational materials and psychosocial support relating to food addiction recovery. The programs involved weekly sessions for 10-14 weeks, followed by monthly support. The data comprised pre- and post- program outcomes relating to food addiction symptoms measured by the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, ICD-10 symptoms of food related substance use disorder (CRAVED), mental wellbeing as measured by the short version of the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and body weight. Sample size across programs was 103 participants. Food addiction symptoms were significantly reduced across settings; mYFAS2 score -1.52 (95% CI: -2.22, -0.81), CRAVED score -1.53 (95% CI: -1.93, -1.13) and body weight was reduced -2.34 kg (95% CI: -4.02, -0.66). Mental wellbeing showed significant improvements across all settings; short version Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale 2.37 (95% CI: 1.55, 3.19). Follow-up data will be published in due course. Further research is needed to evaluate and compare long-term interventions for this complex and increasingly burdensome biopsychosocial condition.

Keywords: addiction; ketogenic diets; low-carbohydrate diet; processed-food; sugar.

Figure 1

Line and forest plots for mYFAS2 symptom score. Dark green indicates improved scores, light green indicates worsening score or no change. Dark gray data points without a line represent people who started but did not finish or who completed a follow up questionnaire but could not be matched with a starting questionnaire.

Figure 2

Line and forest plots for CRAVED. Dark green indicates improved scores, light green indicates worsening score or no change. Dark gray data points without a line represent people who started but did not finish or who completed a follow up questionnaire but could not be matched with a starting questionnaire.

Figure 3

Line and forest plots for SWEMWBS. Dark green indicates improved scores, light green indicates worsening score or no change. Dark gray data points without a line represent people who started but did not finish or who completed a follow up questionnaire but could not be matched with a starting questionnaire.

Figure 4

Line and forest plots for weight. Dark green indicates improved scores, light green indicates worsening score or no change. Dark gray data points without a line represent people who started but did not finish or who completed a follow up questionnaire but could not be matched with a starting questionnaire.