People with food addiction typically struggle to control their consumption of specific foods, especially energy-dense or highly-palatable ones. Individuals with food addiction usually continue eating despite feeling full and despite the negative effects on their physical and mental health and daily functioning, such as relationships, work, and school performance. Moreover, food addiction is often linked to other health conditions, particularly obesity and eating disorders such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa.[1][2]
Those affected by food addiction often invest substantial time and resources into their eating habits, sometimes prioritizing food consumption over other activities. Similar to individuals struggling with substance use disorders, people with food addiction experience intense cravings for certain foods, mirroring the cravings experienced by those addicted to drugs.[3]