ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the possibility that certain foods may be addictive. It discusses what foods may increase their addictive potential and explores individual factors associated with addictive-like eating. The chapter reviews the importance of food cues and the environment in triggering eating behavior. It also discusses the treatment and policy implication of food addiction. The food addiction hypothesis suggests that certain foods may be capable of triggering an addictive-like response in vulnerable individuals in a similar manner to drugs of abuse. The incentive-sensitization theory of addiction proposes one explanation for why some people display greater susceptibility to addictive behaviours. One aspect of an addiction perspective that may not be easily integrated into existing eating treatments is the role the food plays in excess food consumption. The Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) for binge eating take the approach that there are no good foods or bad foods.
