A recent global study has shed light on the alarming prevalence of addiction to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with approximately one in seven adults and one in eight children reportedly affected. These findings have prompted calls for certain UPF products to be labeled as addictive.
Ultra-processed foods, including items like ice-cream, sugary beverages, and ready-made meals, have been increasingly linked to adverse health outcomes, including a heightened risk of cancer, weight gain, and heart disease. The consumption of such products has witnessed a staggering surge, and they now constitute over half of the average diet in countries like the UK and the US.
Researchers now suggest that the way some individuals consume UPFs could meet the criteria for a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Behaviors indicative of this include intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, a lack of control over consumption, and continued use despite severe consequences such as obesity, binge eating disorder, and deteriorating physical and mental health.
An extensive analysis of 281 studies conducted in 36 different countries, published in the BMJ, revealed that “ultra-processed food addiction” affects an estimated 14% of adults and 12% of children.
The study’s authors contend that officially categorizing certain high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods as “addictive” could potentially lead to improved health outcomes through changes in social, clinical, and political policies.
