The neurobiology of overeating

Abstract

Is overeating a neurological disorder like drug or alcohol addiction? Recent advances in neuroscience suggest it might be, which could have profound consequences for the treatment of obese people and public health policies to address the growing epidemic of obesity.

Asociación entre adicción a la comida y estado nutricional en universitarios chilenos

“…La comprensión del sobreconsumo como un potencial desorden adictivo proviene de estudios en animales y estudios de neuro-imágenes realizados en humanos 30,31 . Estos estudios muestran que los alimentos de alta palatabilidad, altos en azúcar, grasa y sal, tienen efectos similares al de algunas drogas adictivas, en el cerebro 30 .…”

“…Estos estudios muestran que los alimentos de alta palatabilidad, altos en azúcar, grasa y sal, tienen efectos similares al de algunas drogas adictivas, en el cerebro 30 . En este sentido, individuos adictos a drogas, consumidores compulsivos e individuos obesos muestran reducciones en la actividad dopaminérgica, pobre control inhibitorio y reducida sensibilidad al placer 30,32 . Un estudio realizado por Wang et al mostró que los sujetos obesos mórbidos (IMC > 40 kg/m 2 ), tenían menor disponibilidad del receptor 2 de dopamina DRD2, proporcional al grado de obesidad 33 .…”

Public Views on Food Addiction and Obesity: Implications for Policy and Treatment

“…These studies show that highly palatable foods, those high in sugar, fat, and/or salt, have similar effects on the brain to addictive drugs [6]. Drug abusers, compulsive eaters, and obese individuals display similar reductions in dopamine activity, poor inhibitory control and reduced sensitivity to pleasure [6], [9].…”

“…Patterns of eating in some individuals also closely resemble the behaviour of drug-addicted individuals, i.e. they show tolerance, withdrawal, craving, and cross sensitization [6]. Many compulsive eaters and obese individuals, particularly those with binge eating disorder, satisfy the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence when these are applied to the consumption of specific foods [10], [11].…”

“…The understanding of overeating as a potentially addictive disorder, commonly termed food addiction , is based on animal and human neuroimaging studies [6]–[8]. These studies show that highly palatable foods, those high in sugar, fat, and/or salt, have similar effects on the brain to addictive drugs [6].…”