Although food addiction is not officially recognized as a medical disorder, there are some treatments and programs available to address it.
One common approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a psychological method often used to treat disordered eating, addiction-like behaviors, and binge eating.[1] However, there is still limited research supporting CBT's efficacy in treating food addiction.
Certain medications, like the combination of naltrexone/bupropion or semaglutide, show potential for reducing food addiction scores and cravings.[2][3] However, there is currently a lack of studies specifically evaluating their effectiveness for treating food addiction.
Additionally, although it does not specifically target food addiction, bariatric surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy) in individuals with obesity has been linked with decreased YFAS scores over 24 months compared to baseline.[4]
References
- ^Anja Hilbert, David Petroff, Stephan Herpertz, Reinhard Pietrowsky, Brunna Tuschen-Caffier, Silja Vocks, Ricarda SchmidtMeta-analysis on the long-term effectiveness of psychological and medical treatments for binge-eating disorderInt J Eat Disord.(2020 Sep)
- ^Elvira Anna Carbone, Mariarita Caroleo, Marianna Rania, Giuseppina Calabrò, Filippo Antonio Staltari, Renato de Filippis, Matteo Aloi, Francesca Condoleo, Franco Arturi, Cristina Segura-GarciaAn open-label trial on the efficacy and tolerability of naltrexone/bupropion SR for treating altered eating behaviours and weight loss in binge eating disorderEat Weight Disord.(2021 Apr)
- ^Martin Friedrichsen, Astrid Breitschaft, Sayeh Tadayon, Alicja Wizert, Dorthe SkovgaardThe effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesityDiabetes Obes Metab.(2021 Mar)
- ^Susan M Murray, S Tweardy, Allan Geliebter, Nicole M AvenaA Longitudinal Preliminary Study of Addiction-Like Responses to Food and Alcohol Consumption Among Individuals Undergoing Weight Loss SurgeryObes Surg.(2019 Aug)