https://www.news-medical.net/health/Food-Addiction-Debate-Symptoms-Causes-and-Treatment.aspx
This article explains that “Food Addiction” is a debated concept and is not currently an official diagnosis in major medical manuals like the DSM-5 or ICD-11. It describes how some researchers believe certain ultra-processed foods may trigger addiction-like behaviors, including cravings, loss of control, and continued eating despite harm. It also notes that tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale are used in research to measure these behaviors, and studies estimate that a portion of adults and children show these patterns.
The article outlines possible causes, including brain reward system activity (dopamine pathways), genetic factors, and environmental influences like access to ultra-processed foods and childhood trauma. It also discusses overlap with conditions such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, which makes diagnosis unclear. Treatment approaches mentioned include behavioral therapies, addressing eating patterns, and broader lifestyle or support-based interventions, though no standard treatment exists specifically for “Food Addiction.”