Future Directions in “Food Addiction”: Next Steps and Treatment Implications

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to examine future directions regarding food addiction and to discuss potential treatment implications. Foods likely differ in their ability to trigger addictive-like eating, with highly processed foods being the most closely associated with addictive processes. Harm reduction approaches may be relevant to the treatment of addictive-like eating. Food addiction is more closely associated with wanting for food, rather than liking the taste of food. Exposure to food cues increases wanting for food and increasing strategies to cope with cravings may be an important treatment approach. Negative affect likely increases vulnerability to overeating. Increasing emotion regulation capabilities may be important in reducing signs of food addiction. The role of addictive mechanisms in problematic eating requires additional research, but an addiction perspective may also have important treatment implications.