Fletcher & Kenny - Food Addiction Flashcards
(14 cards)
Self-report scales & neuroimaging studies are frequently used to compare food addiction to substance use- what is Fletcher’s opinion on this?
That the methodology is insufficient to validate the concept
How do supporters (of food as an addiction) see food addiction, obesity and EDs?
They see food addiction as distinct from those two- instead defined by behavioural patterns rather than weight
but EDs are not only defined by weight?
How do supporters of the food addiction model (FA) see it as an addiction?
They argue it mimics SUDs, particularly through its effects on the brain’s dopamine system
How does Fletcher look at the claim that FA mimics SUDs?
Thinks it’s baloney; no identified addictive substance in food (lacking in strong evidence for sugar/fat)
What does Fletcher think of supporters of FA claiming that FA is a seperate matter from EDs?
There is major overlap with FA and BEDs, thus is FA really a distinct clinical condition?
omg the only argument I actually like
What is the evidence for two key components of addiction in FA; tolerance/withdrawal?
(2)
- Evidence is weak
- The symptoms described are vague and poorly validated by current tools (“eating more with less pleasure or distress or abstinence”)
tho isn’t the gambling “tolerance” one very similar?
Results of neuroimaging studies for FA?
No consistent brain changes observed
- There was an early finding of reduced dopamine receptors in obesity but it has failed to be replicated
Rodent study results for FA?
Restricted access to high-sugar/fat foods leads to addiction-like behaviours
- Translation to humans is problematic
humans dont have same food environment
What is something common in substance use, that is also observed in FA?
something something despite harm
Relapsing
Kenny sees FA as seperate from obesity, despite effects being most visible in overweight individuals. Why do they see it as seperate from obesity despite that?
Because of the additive-like eating patterns (e.g., food control), which can also be seen in lean people
What do brain imaging studies show regarding the effects of food on the dopamine system?
(2)
- Palatable food activates the same reward areas as drug (well yeah, they are natural rewards)
- Overeating/obesity affect these circuits similarly to addiction
Anti-obesity drugs can help smokers quit, what does this indicate in favour for FA?
(2)
- There’s genetic & neurobiological marker overlap between food and drug responses
- Drugs/food act on the same brain systems
What is Kenny’s view on addictive components in food?
That it isn’t a singular nutrient, but unnatural combinations of them (e.g., fat + sugar)
Kenny states that “Addiction isn’t a unitary disorder.”
What do they mean by this?
Drug addictions differ from each other, as do food addictions.
- The problem is loss of control, not if it matches every feature of classic drug addictions
