This review explores the emerging concept of food addiction (FA) from the perspectives of addiction medicine, nutrition, psychology, and behavioral neurosciences. It highlights how FA, though not officially recognized as an eating disorder in DSM-5 or ICD-11, shares neurobiological and behavioral characteristics with substance use disorders (SUD). FA is particularly prevalent among obese individuals and those undergoing obesity surgery, contributing to treatment challenges such as addiction transfer and weight regain. The review emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, incorporating tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neuroimaging technologies. It calls for further research to disentangle FA’s complex relationship with obesity and other addictive behaviors.
This course is based on the reading-based online article, Meeting of Minds Around Food Addiction created by Dr. Aymery Constant et al in 2020.
Publication Date
Nutrients Nov 2020
Course Material Authors
Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.
Dr. Aymery Constant
Dr. Aymery Constant is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health, EHESP, in Rennes, France. He specializes in public health and behavioral psychology. This is his first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Romain Moirand
Dr. Romain Moirand is a clinician at the Unité d’Addictologie, CHU Rennes, and an expert in addiction medicine with a focus on substance use disorders. This is his first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Kathryn Held, Psy. D associate and CADC III, is an individual therapist at Visions adolescent treatment centers. With a decade of experience in the mental health field, Kathryn specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and the OCD spectrum. Kathryn also has expertise in working with LGBTQ+ adolescents while navigating complex family systems. Her current research projects include adolescent suicide and the use of OCD art interventions in anxiety and OCD treatment. She is trained in CBT, ACT and Exposure and Response Prevention. Her empathetic and artistic approach helps support, educate, and instill agency in her clients. Prior to joining the Visions team, Kathryn worked in various treatment settings including detox, sober living, and as the Program Director of a dual diagnosis outpatient treatment center.
Recommended For
Counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for intermediate and above levels of knowledge.
Course Objectives:
After taking this course, you should be able to:
Analyze the similarities and differences between food addiction and substance use disorders, including their shared neural mechanisms.
Examine how FA contributes to obesity-related challenges and the importance of tailored interventions in pre- and post-obesity surgery care.
Discuss how integrating psychological, medical, and neuroscientific strategies can improve prevention and treatment outcomes for individuals with FA.
Availability
This course is available starting Feb 27th, 2025 and expires Feb 26th, 2035
Disclosure to Learners
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited
Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity –
including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial
relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).
The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and
the reviewer:
Planners and Reviewers
The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.
Material Authors
Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.
Course Creator
Kathryn Held, Psy.D., CADC III – No Disclosures to report
Commercial support
There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.
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